Modern Short StoriesBritish Literature (Theme and Symbolism)

D.H. Lawrence (1885-1930)

Literary achievements overshadowed by controversy Unorthodox positions on politics and morality

Born in Nottinghamshire in 1885 Left school to become a clerk and contracted pneumonia. After recovering, he decided to become a teacher.

Thought to be a German spy during WWI Left England shortly after the war. Travelled abroad to multiple countries

Became settings for many of his works. Wrote Women in Love and Lady Chatterly’s Lover

Died of Tuberculosis shortly after completing Lady Chatterly’s Lover

After his death, Lawrence’s works were praised for its vivid setting and psychological insight.

Reading Fiction When we read fiction, we need to identify and interpret

symbols, in order to then understand a work’s theme(s). What is a symbol? A person, object, or action that conveys meaning beyond

its literal significance What is a theme? A central idea or concern

“The Rocking-Horse Winner”

What style or form of narrative might this story most closely resemble?

Why does Paul start betting on horse races?

How does Paul see “luck”? What is his attitude toward “luck”?

“The Rocking-Horse Winner”

What style or form of narrative might this story most closely resemble? Fairy Tale style

Supernatural aspects? Why does Paul start betting on horse races?

Relieve his mother’s stress anxiety Worries about wealth and status

How does Paul see “luck”? What is his attitude toward “luck”? People can create their own luck

Rides his horse to create luck Luck is a place people can go and find money

It is where Paul discovers the winners of the races

“The Rocking-Horse Winner”

How does the British class system affect this stories themes?

What is the primary symbol? What might it symbolize?

What could be a theme (central idea or concern) of this text?

“The Rocking-Horse Winner”

How does the British class system affect this stories themes? Highly stratified with very little social mobility

Because of this, the mother is very scared of losing her status. What is the primary symbol? What might it symbolize?

The Rocking-Horse: Futile struggle of Materialism Desperate measures to gain wealth Unrealistic attachments to ideals of wealth and status

What could be a theme (central idea or concern) of this text? Materialism can warp people psychologically Futility of finding happiness in wealth or status (money)

Graham Greene (1904-1991)

He was born in Hertfordshire in 1904. Son of a schoolmaster

Studied at Oxford University Shortly after, Greene converts to Catholicism

As a religious convert, Greene explored the themes of pain, fear, despair, and alienation.

After working as an copy editor, Greene mainly worked as a freelance journalist. His job allowed him to develop his unique style and skill with his writing

Strong powers of observation, sensitivity to atmosphere, and simplicity of language Many of his novels focus on spiritual crisis and burn with intense concern for

salvation. Greene’s best fiction focuses on the psychology of human character, rather

than plot.

“A Shocking Accident” What is the “shocking accident”?

After his father’s death, how does Jerome view his father and his death?

How do others view Jerome’s father’s death?

“A Shocking Accident” What is the “shocking accident”?

Jerome’s father is killed by a pig falling on his head What is the tone of this short story?

Comic/ Absurd, but why? After his father’s death, how does Jerome view his father and his

death? Jerome worships and idolizes his father Jerome does not find his father’s death comical and when he recounts the tale to

others, he attempts to remove the absurdity to provide his father with some dignity in death.

How do others view Jerome’s father’s death? As comical/ funny

Is the death “shocking”? The death is ridiculous, not necessarily shocking. People would normally express shock because of the seriousness of the

event, yet most people struggle to hold back laughter.

“A Shocking Accident” What is Jerome’s question after hearing the news

about his father? What does this do for his relationships with others?

What is ironic about Jerome’s connection with Sally?

What is a theme of this text?

“A Shocking Accident” What is Jerome’s question after hearing the news about his

father? What does this do for his relationships with others? Jerome: “What happened to the pig?” This response isolates or distances him from others who find humor in

the circumstances surrounding his father’s death What is ironic about Jerome’s connection with Sally?

Sally does not laugh at the story and responds with the same question as Jerome, concerning the pig.

It is ironic because the same response that separated him from everyone else, connects him with Sally.

What is a theme of this text? Life is absurd. Modern life is unpredictable and bizarre.

James Joyce (1882-1941)

Born in Ireland in 1882. Family and teachers wanted him to become a priest, yet Joyce pursued his

own way as a writer. In 1904, he left Ireland to travel and began working on some of his

greatest achievements. He is known for his innovations in plot, character, and language.

Joyce is said to be “one of the re-inventors of modern fiction.” His main works are Dubliners, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man,

Ulysses, and Finnegan’s Wake. He was thought to have been schizophrenic, making living with him very

difficult. It is believed that without the aid of his family and close friends, many of is

works would never have been completed. He died of a perforated ulcer in 1941.

“Araby” What is epiphany? A character’s sudden insight, which forms the climax of the

story. (It is often labeled as a plot device)

“Araby” How is the setting described? Infer as to what this

may tell us about the plot of the story.

On whom does the young boy have a crush? How do we realize he likes this girl?

After speaking with the girl, the boy says if he goes to “Araby,” he will do what? How does this affect the boys other activities?

“Araby” How is the setting described? Infer as to what this may tell us

about the plot of the story. Grim, dark

Lives on a “blind,” or dead-end street The setting weighs heavily against the boy and his chances for success

On whom does the young boy have a crush? How do we realize he likes this girl? Mangen’s sister He watches her leave her house everyday. He looks forward to watching her

leave every morning. After speaking with the girl, the boy says if he goes to “Araby,”

he will do what? How does this affect the boys other activities? He will buy her a gift. He is unable to focus at school and is restless at home.

“Araby” The boy says “he could interpret those signs” of his

uncle when he came home. What is the uncle doing? What is he trying to tell us about his uncle? How does the boy feel while this is taking place?

What occurs when the boy finally reaches the bazaar?

“Araby” The boy says “he could interpret those signs” of his

uncle when he came home. What is the uncle doing? What is he trying to tell us about his uncle? How does the boy feel while this is taking place? Talking to himself and throwing his coat on the coat rack. He is drunk.

This makes the boy anxious with what may happen. What occurs when the boy finally reaches the bazaar?

He overpays, finds almost nobody there, and the people that are there seem bored.

He expects this place to be exotic, but nothing meets his expectations.

“Araby” What epiphany does the boy come to?

“Araby” What epiphany does the boy come to?

Broadly: The Futility of human pursuits. Specifically: The boy will never be able to satisfy

his desires. The futility of finding a gift parallels the futility

of winning the girl’s affection.

Joseph Conrad (1857-1924)

Conrad is one of the greatest writers in English literature, yet English was his 3rd language. (1st- Polish; 2nd- Russian)

Conrad was born Jozef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski in Poland in 1857 and became an orphan at the age of 11. (Born into Polish nobility) When he was 17, he fled Russian-occupied Poland for France and later England. He spent the next 6 years as an apprentice seaman

In 1886, Conrad became a master mariner and an English citizen. Most of Conrad’s works literally focus on voyage at seas, yet symbolically

the voyages are focused on self-discovery. He commonly focused on loyalty and the limits of self-knowledge.

Joseph Conrad died in 1924 of a heart attack. Before his death England’s Prime Minister offered Conrad a British knighthood,

yet he declined.

“The Lagoon” Why does Arsat ask the white man if he has

medicine?

What is Arsat’s state of mind during this scene with the white man?

What does Arsat’s brother do while Arsat and Diamelen run to the canoe?

“The Lagoon” Why does Arsat ask the white man if he has

medicine? He hopes to save/ cure Diamelen

What is Arsat’s state of mind during this scene with the white man?

Disturbed: He is confused whether or not he made the correct decision.

Anxious: He is anxiously hoping for a cure for Diamelen. What does Arsat’s brother do while Arsat and

Diamelen run to the canoe? He shoots at the men in chase. He is captured by them. He is killed by the men in chase.

“The Lagoon” What motivates Arsat to allow his brother to stay

behind?

What is Arsat’s purpose in telling his story?

Following Diamelen’s death, Arsat says, “I can see nothing,” and the white man replies, “There is nothing.” What does each statement mean?

What is the theme of this narrative?

“The Lagoon” What motivates Arsat to allow his brother to stay

behind? His love for Diamelen

What is Arsat’s purpose in telling his story? He is torn by the guilt of leaving his brother top run away

with Diamelen. Following Diamelen’s death, Arsat says, “I can see

nothing,” and the white man replies, “There is nothing.” What does each statement mean?

Arsat means: Life means nothing now that Diamelen is dead. White Man: There are no illusions to cling to.

What is the theme of this narrative? Conrad is saying that all human life is illusion.