What are the characteristics of the stories in the list of best classic short stories?

One characteristic is their ability to convey a powerful message in a short span. For example, many use concise language but still manage to explore deep themes like love, death, and society. Another is that they often have memorable characters, even if we only get a brief glimpse of them, like in 'The Necklace' where Mathilde's vanity and subsequent downfall are vividly portrayed.

A lot of these stories play with psychological horror. Take 'The Black Cat' by Edgar Allan Poe. The narrator's own guilty conscience and his deteriorating mental state are the main sources of horror. It shows how a person's inner demons can be as terrifying as any external monster.

Most of them have a strong sense of place. They are set in the western landscapes, with descriptions of deserts, mountains, and small western towns. The characters are often cowboys, outlaws, or settlers. For example, in 'The Outcasts of Poker Flat', the setting of the town is crucial to the story.

Many of them often have complex characters. For example, in some stories, the characters may seem ordinary at first but as the story unfolds, their true natures are revealed, like in 'The Lady with the Dog'. Also, the settings are well - crafted, whether it's a dreary English countryside or a bustling city street. They also tend to deal with deep themes such as love, loss, and morality.

They often have relatable characters. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the young couple is in a situation that many can understand - being poor but deeply in love. Also, they usually have a clear theme. Like in 'The Lottery', the theme of blindly following tradition is very distinct. And they tend to be concise yet impactful, getting the message across in a short space like 'A Sound of Thunder' does with its warning about messing with nature.

Well, they often have a concise yet powerful narrative. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the story is short but manages to convey the depth of the couple's love through their self - sacrificing actions. They also tend to explore universal themes like love, sacrifice, and the human condition in a relatively small space.

One characteristic is their concise yet powerful storytelling. They can convey deep emotions and complex themes in just a few pages. For example, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' manages to explore the oppression of women and mental health in a short space. Another is the use of vivid language. Writers like Dickens in his short works use rich descriptions to bring the settings and characters to life.

Classic short short stories often have a concise plot. They can convey a powerful message or theme in just a few pages. For example, they might focus on a single event or moment in time that has a great impact.

Classic short stories often have concise yet vivid characterizations. For example, in Guy de Maupassant's short stories, he can create complex characters in just a few paragraphs. They also usually have a well - structured plot that unfolds quickly and efficiently.

They probably have engaging plots. Since they are short stories, they need to grab the reader's attention quickly. So, there could be unexpected twists and turns, like in a mystery - themed story where the solution is not what you initially expect. In addition, the use of vivid language is common. With limited space, the authors need to create a vivid world. They might use unique descriptions of settings and characters to make them come alive in the reader's mind. This helps to make the short story memorable despite its brevity.