One interesting theme could be the sense of place. Texas has a unique landscape and culture, and many stories might explore how the land shapes the characters. For example, the vastness of the plains might make characters feel small yet full of big dreams. Another theme could be family. In a state like Texas, family values are often strong, and stories could show family bonds, conflicts, and how families adapt to changes over time. Also, the concept of frontier spirit might be present, with characters showing courage and a sense of adventure in the face of new challenges, just like the early settlers in Texas did.
There's also William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry. Some of his short stories are set in Texas. He has a knack for creating interesting characters and plot twists that are often set against the backdrop of Texas cities and towns. His stories can give us a glimpse into the social and cultural fabric of Texas at the time he was writing.
Katherine Anne Porter is a notable one. Her stories often had a dreamy and sometimes otherworldly quality. For example, in some of her works, she would play with time and perception in ways that are typical of surrealist writing. Another is Amado Nervo, whose works delved into the subconscious and had a sense of the strange and the unexpected, which are hallmarks of surrealism.
The short stories from The New Yorker about Texas often have a strong sense of place. They make you feel like you're right there in Texas, whether it's in a small town or on a large cattle ranch. The characters in these stories are usually complex and reflect the diverse personalities you'd find in Texas. They could be tough ranchers, ambitious oil workers, or creative artists trying to make it in the big Texan cities. And often, there's a theme of resilience, as Texans are known for being tough and adaptable in the face of various challenges.
It's a mystery story about a sudden and unexpected death in the state of Texas. The plot could involve detective work, uncovering secrets, and maybe a twist at the end.
The Texas top stories could involve natural disasters that have affected the state. For example, if there were a major hurricane or wildfires. These events often make the top stories as they impact the lives of many Texans. Also, sports achievements by Texas - based teams can be among the top stories. If a local football or baseball team wins a championship or has an outstanding season, that would surely be in the top stories.
One well - known surrealist short story from 20th - century Texas could be 'The Third Policeman' by Flann O'Brien. Although he was Irish, his work had a certain surreal quality that might have influenced Texas writers. Another could be works by Katherine Anne Porter. Her stories often had elements of the surreal, like in 'Flowering Judas', where the descriptions and the overall mood create a sense of the dream - like and the unexpected that are characteristic of surrealism.
I'm not familiar with this short story, so I can't say for sure who the main characters are. But they could be the victim, the people close to the victim like family or friends, and perhaps the ones involved in the events leading to the death such as suspects or witnesses.
Not having read this particular short story, it's hard to say for sure. However, it could center around a character's death in Texas. Maybe it shows how different characters in the story are connected to this death. It could be a story of revenge related to the death, or it could be a more somber exploration of grief and loss in the Texan setting. There could be elements of the local Texan lifestyle and values that play a role in the story as well, like the importance of family or honor in the face of such a death.