Short Stories – Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, Ambrose Bierce Essay Example

their longing for acceptance, they suffer and lack respect while acknowledging their desire for kinship and reciprocity (Source: Carlson, Alexa.Essay #1: Young Goodman Brown.www.crwl.utexas.edu).

Both characters faced challenges and difficulties assimilating into their environments. The initial paragraph serves to provide information, containing a subtle clue about Major Molineaux's destiny. It mentions the uprising happening in the colonies, and introduces Robin, an 18-year-old who crosses the ocean to locate Major Molineaux. Despite his unfamiliarity with his uncle's whereabouts, Robin remains optimistic that everything will turn out well.

He sets off with limited funds and inquires about the residence of Major Molineaux. His initial endeavor to locate his uncle proves discouraging as all the individuals he questions treat him unkindly. Nevertheless, he persists in his search. The narrative suggests that Robin is not genuinely interested in finding Major Molineaux. When he witnesses his uncle covered in tar and feathers, he bursts into laughter and acknowledges the personal growth achieved during his journey. The elderly characters in the story appear particularly hostile.

I believe there is a stronger animosity directed towards Major Molineaux. The sight of the man with a black and red face frightens Robin. I interpret the red and black color scheme as symbols of danger, anger, and possibly evil. The danger might signify the malevolence associated with the mob or the tumultuous changes happening in the lead-up to the Revolutionary War. Additionally, Robin appears to be quite naive due to his rural background and his recent exposure to the harsh realities of city life.

Edgar Allan Poe, “The Cask of Amontillado”

In his short story "The Cask of Amontillado," Edgar Allan Poe portrays Montressor's desire for revenge against Fortunado. Montressor

effectively manipulates Fortunado by enticing him into the vaults under the pretense of showing him a rare cask of Amontillado. Montressor claims that he would have asked Fortunado to evaluate the wine himself, but he had a prior commitment and therefore enlists the help of Luchesi. A source found on the website www.poedecoder.com describes Montressor's skill in deceiving Fortunado, stating that Montressor took great caution to avoid arousing Fortunado's suspicions.

This was Montressor's "perfect plan of retribution" as he planned the death of Fortunado, and Fortunado unknowingly fell for the trap carefully arranged by Montressor. In Poe's gripping story, Montressor serves as the narrator, adding depth to the tale. The irony in this short story becomes apparent as Montressor gradually comprehends the gravity of his actions as they venture deeper into the vaults. Additionally, the name of the character, Fortunado, carries ironic undertones as he proves to be anything but fortunate in this particular situation.

The text also reveals irony when Montressor and Fortunado enjoy some wine together before reaching the Amontillado. Despite toasting to Fortunado's long life, Montressor is aware that his life will soon come to an end. While I personally did not recognize the symbolism in the motto or the coat of arms, the mentioned website provided insight on these symbols. According to the website, the coat of arms and motto represent Montressor's evil nature and his desire for revenge, comparable to a serpent. This symbolism serves as foreshadowing, established in the story's opening sentence.

"I had endured the numerous injuries of Fortunado as best I could; however, when he dared to insult me, I made a solemn vow for revenge." This statement clearly suggests

that someone in the narrative is going to experience harm in some manner. Nonetheless, Montressor ultimately felt remorseful. As Fortunado descended into the depths of the crypt, Montressor heard his agonized screams and began to tremble. It is possible that he comprehended the gravity of his actions and regarded them as a deplorable deed.

At the end of the story, Montressor expresses his wish for Fortunato to rest in peace. This raises the question of why he would have murdered him if he desired peace for him in death. It seems that Montressor may have felt some guilt.

Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge"

"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" takes place during the American Civil War in the 1860s, a time when the United States was divided over slavery. The Northern States were against slavery and wanted to abolish it, while the South wanted to preserve it in order to maintain low labor and production costs.

Throughout the short story, symbolism is used to depict the division and stubbornness of white Southern plantation owners and politicians. The line "Mrs. Farquhar was only too happy to serve him with her own white hands" exemplifies this symbolism, representing the unwillingness of the Southern people to resolve their differences with the North by abolishing slavery and granting freedom to black Americans. They would rather see the country engulfed in a destructive war than choose a peaceful resolution.

Ambrose Bierce's writing was replete with captivating imagery that gradually intensified the suspense towards the story's conclusion. Despite the strangeness of the images he depicted, they conveyed a sense of tranquility and optimism. However, readers were abruptly confronted with scenes of

violence and suffering. To enhance the suspense, Bierce employed peculiar descriptions like "black bodies of the trees" and "no fields bordered it, no dwelling anywhere".

The reader experiences a journey with Peyton, witnessing both the dark and beautiful aspects of life. From facing the imminent threat of death to encountering vivid images of life's beauty, from glimpses of a blissful afterlife to enduring pain, Peyton eventually finds solace in the arms of his wife. However, his ultimate demise serves as a poignant symbol of the oppression perpetrated by the deceitful and feeble Southern upper classes. Peyton Farquhar, a member of a reputable Alabama family, was a prosperous landowner.

The text discusses the unwillingness of certain individuals to give up their wealth, despite the potential harm it may cause to others, particularly respected Southerners. The passage also introduces the story "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, providing a brief summary of the plot. In the story, Mme. Loisel feels ashamed to attend a party without expensive jewelry, as she does not want to appear poor like her husband. She borrows a necklace from a friend but accidentally loses it by the end of the night. In order to replace the lost necklace, she purchases a new one for thirty-six thousand francs and returns it without Mme. being aware of the substitution.

Forestier. After borrowing a necklace from Mme. Loisel, she and her husband dedicated the following decade to strenuous work in order to repay it. However, they eventually discovered that the borrowed necklace was counterfeit and its worth did not come close to the amount they had spent on a new one. In Mme.'s story,

I noticed the irony.

Forestier and the plaster necklace: Upon returning the necklace to Mme. Forestier, Mme. Loisel quickly examined the beautiful necklace, ensuring its flawless condition. Had it held great value to her, she might have even inspected it further, carefully examining for any marks or missing gems.

It was apparent that the shape of the plaster necklace was of no concern to Mme. Forestier. Another instance of irony occurred when Mme. Loisel was examining Mme. Forestier's collection of jewels.

Mme. Forestier retrieved her large jewelry box from her wardrobe, while the other necklace awaited in a black box. Mme. Loisel sifted through numerous bracelets and necklaces of exceptional quality. However, those pieces failed to meet her standards, and she ultimately chose the plaster necklace. It is worth noting that Guy de Maupassant had ties to the Ministry of Public Instruction.

Monsieur Loisel's profession was intriguing as he worked at the Ministry of Public Instruction. Maupassant's writing style was characterized by its classic and simple nature, steering clear of any social commentary. Alongside his writing, he took pleasure in depicting the real world and demonstrating his knowledge of it.

( www.members.tripod.com/KisnerD/guyde.htm ) I believe this story matches his description perfectly. It is extremely realistic and seems like something that could occur to anyone.

Kate Chopin, “Desiree’s Baby”

Kate Chopin was a talented writer of short stories. It is often said that her works were influenced by Guy de Maupassant's. In "Desiree's Baby," Chopin emulates his style by deviating from traditional short stories and creating something innovative and unrestricted. Chopin wrote based on her observations.

The organization and conclusion of the plots in her stories

resembled those of Maupassant. In "Desiree's Baby," there was an application of light and dark symbolism. The initial instance of this symbolism was observed in the portrayal of L'Abri, the residence of Desiree and Armand. Madame Valmonde was disturbed upon witnessing it.

The house had a forlorn appearance, which made one recognize the lack of happiness inside, despite the facade of contentment. While Madame Valmonde approaches the house, she provides a more detailed description. "Tall, somber oaks grew near it, and their dense foliage and wide-reaching branches cast a gloomy shadow over it." This serves as a sinister symbol for the forthcoming events involving Desiree and Armand in the house. Armand will not only discover unsettling truths about his wife, but also about himself, leading to the downfall of the house.

During Madame Valmonde's visit, Desiree is adorned in white and lace, emanating joy and virtue. A symbol of light shines upon her. Nevertheless, she will eventually realize that her existence is not as pure and naive as she once perceived.

In the second paragraph of the story, it is revealed by the narrator that Desiree was discovered by Monsieur while she was asleep near the big stone pillar, as if it happened very recently. This statement implies that Desiree might not be Valmonde's biological child. The mention of her lying in the shadow of the pillar foreshadows her concealed past. The Valmonde family attempted to hide this secret until their child's skin started to darken. Furthermore, Chopin portrays Armand as having a "dark, handsome face".

This also hints at the conclusion as Armand discovers his mother's letter stating that she had African ancestry.

William Sydney Porter, "The

Gift of the Magi"

"The Gift of the Magi" shares many similarities with Guy de Maupassant's "The Necklace." In both stories, the characters prioritize money over their loved ones, failing to recognize the emotional significance of their possessions and focusing solely on their monetary worth.

Both Mme. Loisel and Della made sacrifices, but they gave up different things. Mme. Loisel sacrificed ten years of her life to pay for the necklace. Meanwhile, Della sacrificed her lovely hair and Jim sacrificed his prized watch.

While Della and Jim can ultimately recover what they gave up, Mme. Loisel will forever remain unable to reclaim the decade she forfeited from her life. Nevertheless, what she sacrificed held far greater significance. In the beginning of the tale, Della found herself in tears and weeping due to her lack of funds to purchase a Christmas gift for Jim, with only one day remaining. "This situation foreshadows that life comprises a combination of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles prevailing." I interpret this as an anticipation of events unfolding throughout the narrative.

Della began crying and then wandered around feeling sad. She came up with the idea to sell her hair for money. After getting her hair cut and receiving the money, she was delighted to buy Jim a gift. They exchanged gifts only to discover that Jim had bought her a brush set while she had bought him a chain for the watch he sold to buy her brushes. Once again, she cried because they had given up their beloved possessions for each other and had no use for their new gifts.

Stephen Crane, “The Open Boat”

"The Open Boat" is a gripping short story inspired

by Stephen Crane's own real-life experience.

Crane's short story combines biographical facts and descriptive elements, while simultaneously delving into psychological aspects of the characters' experiences. A relevant article I stumbled upon on the Internet, written by Jason Voegele, explores the application of naturalism to "The Open Boat". The story opens with the introduction of four key characters.

Crane extensively depicts both the four men and their surroundings. According to Voegele's analysis, the initial scenes immediately highlight the men's conflict with the sea and nature's indifference towards their tragedy. Despite their dire circumstances, nature remains unaltered, refusing to assist them. This is the reality of how things operate. The men perceive that nature is punishing them as they continually find themselves in increasingly perilous situations. Such is the nature of the world - unwanted events will always unfold.

The men are losing hope in their survival as the earth continues to pound them. The captain expresses his resignation, stating, "If this wind continues and the boat doesn't swap, we can't do much else." They all feel trapped and unable to overcome the obstacles before them.

They all experience the disregard from the world around them. Voegele also suggests that Crane now grasps the essence of being human: continuously striving despite the futility and the undeniable need for others. Initially, the story's reality appears harsh, but ultimately it reveals the characters' human spirit. The primary conflict is between humans and nature.

The source states that a single human life is insignificant when compared to the rest of the world.

The story "Paul's Case" by Willa Cather

Paul appeared to be a boy who desperately required

care and attention. His father subjected him to emotional abuse, and he faced disdain at school. All he truly desired was someone who could empathize with him and treat him as an ordinary individual. Despite being a problematic child, I ultimately developed a liking for Paul as the story progressed.

I'm not sure if it was sympathy or something else. It's hard not to feel compassion for someone who has lost their mother, experiences abuse from their father, and desires a better life but is confined to their current situation. I also believe that he wasn't hindered by any learning disabilities. It's just that he never had the opportunity he deserved, as everyone treated him poorly and judged him unfairly. People were unwilling to give Paul a chance.

According to a website I stumbled upon, the article expresses strong agreement with the idea. It is mentioned in the article that Paul's teachers misunderstood him due to his partial understanding of difficult lessons. The article also focuses on how these teachers treated Paul, making him feel inferior to his peers and unworthy of their additional tutoring. This led to further discouragement from learning for Paul. I completely concur with this viewpoint. The teachers neglected their responsibility to assist the underprivileged child in his learning journey, which only served to distance him and exacerbate his discontentment.

Paul's death was deeply tragic to me. He endured a heartbreaking and isolated existence, ultimately choosing to take his own life. Though I find it difficult to comprehend the act of suicide, I can empathize with the hardships this young boy faced. If I were in his shoes, with the loss of my mother,

enduring abuse from my father, and feeling unwanted by everyone, I too would feel a lack of desire to continue living. His life was filled with immense despair.

In the aforementioned article, there was a notable statement made about Paul's death. It pondered whether he ever had any hope of not taking his own life given the way he lived. It speculates that suicide may have been his only escape from the desolation and suffering he experienced daily. It is a sorrowful reality, but a possibility to consider.

Source: www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/4925/main.html

D.H. Lawrence, “Odour of Chrysanthemums”

“Odour of Chrysanthemums” tells the story of a coal miner and his wife. Elizabeth anxiously awaits her husband's return home. Despite their existing problems, she remains deeply concerned about his whereabouts. Elizabeth anticipates his arrival, fearing he will come home intoxicated. As she waits, she contemplates their relationship.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, she maintains a positive mindset for the sake of their children, not wanting them to perceive any troubles. However, later on, her mother-in-law delivers distressing information: Elizabeth learns that her husband had tragically suffocated in an accident.

The deceased man's body is brought to the house for the ladies to clean, which I find to be a terrible task for the family. It is a painful experience that is further explored throughout the story. Elizabeth undergoes a range of emotions as she washes the body, starting with curiosity, then anger, followed by sympathy, forgiveness, and finally a calm evaluation.

She discovers that both she and her husband had rejected some deep aspect of each other long ago, leading them to live completely separate lives. By the end of the story, Elizabeth is grateful for

death for bringing forth the truth. Her emotional distress is extremely persuasive, as her initial actions in the story would not have suggested such turmoil. The chrysanthemums in the narrative serve as symbols for Elizabeth's emotions, particularly representing a distressing omen for her. I interpret the presence of the flower as a reminder of the misery prevailing in her existence.

It reminds her of her terrible marriage and her drunken husband. I also see it as the chrysanthemums' odor smothering her, somewhat like her husband was smothered by the coal fall. The scent of the chrysanthemums was so strong and overwhelming that it reminded her of her husband and his overpowering strength. Elizabeth’s final thoughts in the story are quite profound. She conceals his lifeless body in the parlor to shield the children from witnessing it. Elizabeth also appears to recognize that she has no control over her life whatsoever.

She believed that life was now her immediate master, but was almost frightened to realize that death had taken hold of her household and had a grip on her. The fear stemmed from the fact that death was her ultimate master. This tale is brimming with character, requiring me to read it twice to fully grasp its profound significance. Initially, I inferred that this was a religious narrative based on the names mentioned at the beginning, such as the Christian Brothers School, which provided an understanding of the boy's community. Additionally, the boy in the story meticulously describes the deceased priest.

To recognize that this was a religious narrative, one could observe the boy's behavior towards his family. Demonstrating immense respect, he patiently awaited his uncle's return home,

subsequently seeking consent and financial assistance. The notion of epiphany signifies the unexpected revelation of a character's authentic nature at a precise moment.

At the end of the story, the boy's epiphany occurred when he visited the bazaar with the intention of purchasing something for his obsession. However, upon arriving, he had a change of heart and realized that he had become fixated on this girl and had also become consumed by vanity. According to an article by Diana Mak, the boy had reached a point of enlightenment and disillusionment. Rather than finding a prize at the fair, he saw how this girl had affected him and experienced nothing but anguish and anger. The boy had believed that he could obtain the love of this girl by purchasing something for her.

He didn’t realize that he was overwhelmed with hubris solely for this girl. Source: www.members.nbci.com/_XMCM/dianamak/essay.htm

Washington Irving, “Rip Van Winkle”

This narrative contains numerous intricacies. Initially, I was somewhat perplexed by it until I discovered certain articles that helped me comprehend the true meaning of the story. These articles elucidated how the tale served as an allegory for the transformations transpiring in our nation. Furthermore, I stumbled upon information that highlighted Washington Irving's incorporation of German folklore alongside American settings and events, which imbued the story with profound richness. The story is replete with various forms of distinctive symbolism.

These symbols represent the changes taking place in American society, from which Rip Van Winkle seemingly escaped. While most Americans experienced the hardships of a rapidly changing country, Rip Van Winkle had the luxury of a prolonged and peaceful sleep. According to an article I discovered, it is only when

Rip wakes up from his slumber that Irving's sociopolitical perspectives become evident.

Rip's confusion and quest for self-discovery mirror the young country's search for its own identity. In the same way that Rip seeks truth, the new country is also seeking answers. This allegory is evident in the short story when Rip comes back to town and sees that the tavern sign has been changed. Before his departure, the sign depicted a man holding a crown and a scepter. However, upon his return from his long nap, the sign has been altered.

The man in the previous sign had a large sword and cap instead of a crown. Source: www.cwrl.utexas.edu/daniel/amlit/rvw/tv.html Upon researching why Henry James wrote his book in installments, I discovered that James had the book published at Collier and they decided to divide the story into five parts and publish them in twelve installments. According to www.gradesaver.com, Collier, being a magazine, published The Turn of the Screw to boost circulation and revenue. The decision to publish it in installments was aimed at keeping people buying his magazine.

Collier and James agreed to publish the story together, after Collier finished publishing James' work. At the time, people were losing faith in their traditional religion and searching for spiritual understanding. James saw this as an opportunity to write about finding spirituality in the world beyond. In the same article, James discussed how people were searching for a new way to understand and accept death, which resonated with him.

The main narrator in The Turn of the Screw is the governess, a young lady responsible for taking care of two children. Throughout the story, she comes across

ghosts and faces challenges in protecting the children's souls. The governess takes care of Flora and Miles, with the latter being sent home from school for reasons that remain unclear. It is difficult to determine whether Miles is simply a troublesome child or if he possesses intelligence and a rebellious nature.

Flora, the sweet little girl, is believed to be communicating with the ghost of Miss Jessel. In the book's prologue, the title's origin is revealed as they tell a ghost story involving a child visited by a ghost. Griffin mentions adding one "turn of the screw" to make it even scarier. However, I found the ending of the book difficult to interpret.

The sudden passing of Miles was a truly startling event. It is my belief that the governess either frightened him fatally or potentially suffocated him. In spite of the difficulty in accepting such a notion, it seemed to be the only logical explanation available. Throughout the story, there were indications that hinted towards the possibility of her smothering him.

Miles was expelled from school for his inappropriate language, which he then shared with others, including his sister Flora. It is doubtful that Flora learned these offensive words from the ghost of Miss Jessel, but rather from her own brother. An article on www.gradesaver.com discusses the governess' response to Miles and his admission. The governess was provided with enough information to understand why Miles was expelled. The article also explores how the governess' actions are negatively influencing the boy.

Before the governess even tells the boy that Quint is present, she experiences sweating, hard breathing, and weakness. This causes her to become even more upset and

she starts shaking the boy. Surprisingly, I enjoyed this book more than I anticipated. I did not expect it to be a ghost story at all and the ending was quite surprising.

Source: www.gradesaver.com/ClassicNote/screw/about.html