Introduction Toni Morrison’s only short story, “Recitatif,” appeared in Confirmation: An Anthology of African American Women in 1983. The plot revolves around two girls who meet at a shelter for neglected and orphaned children, with race playing an important part. Morrison leaves readers wondering about their assumptions about the ethnicities of the characters by keeping … Read more
Introduction The short story “Miss Brill” was written by Katherine Mansfield, a modernist author born in New Zealand (1888–1923). The story was first released in the Athenaeum in 1920, and it was later collected by Mansfield in The Garden Party and Other Stories, published in 1922. This book, along with T. S. Eliot’s The Waste … Read more
Introduction Sonnet 130 by William Shakespeare is one of the most known sonnets published in 1609. It contrasts the conventional idea of a sonnet that displays the beauty and magic of love. Shakespeare composed this sonnet as if to mock his lover’s beauty to unveil the realism of love. About the Poet William Shakespeare, one … Read more
Introduction: “The Lotus” is a poem written by Toru Dutt. It is a poem that brings out the significance and pride of Indian culture. About the Poet: Toru Dutt (1856-1877) was a notable Bengali-Indian poet. She penned her works in two languages; French and English. Famous works of hers include Ancient Ballads and “Legends of … Read more
Introduction: ‘The Importance of Shakespeare’ is a notable essay written by Ashlee Jenson. As the title clearly indicates, the essay brings out how important Shakespeare is in the sphere of academics. About the Author: Ashlee Jenson is an eminent author accredited for penning the essay “The Importance of Shakespeare”. Theme: The theme of this essay … Read more
Introduction The short story “Kew Gardens” was written by Virginia Woolf, an English novelist. It was initially made available to the general public in 1921 in the collection Monday or Tuesday, after which it was included in the posthumous collection A Haunted House (1944). It was first published privately in 1919. Its visual arrangement has … Read more
Introduction Memoirs of a Yellow Dog is a short story published in 1906 by American writer O’Henry. The story emphasizes the meaninglessness of life, the emptiness of emotions, and loveless marriages. It focuses on the American middle class, particularly in New York. It is the memoir of a yellow dog. He talks about his owners, … Read more
Introduction The short story “Good Country People” was written by Flannery O’Connor. It was released in 1955 as part of her collection of short stories, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” which is recognized as an exemplary piece of Southern Gothic literature. The importance of religion in Southern society is reflected in O’Connor’s work, … Read more
Introduction Tillie Olsen’s 1956 short story ‘I Stand Here Ironing’ was initially published in Prairie Schooner under the title ‘Help Her to Believe’. It was republished under its more famous title in Olsen’s 1961 collection Tell Me a Riddle. The story is presented in the style of a monologue spoken by a woman ironing clothes … Read more
Introduction “Sonnet 65” was composed by William Shakespeare, an English Renaissance poet and playwright, and originally published in 1609. The speaker of the poem laments the passing of time and asks how something as fragile as beauty can last when even the most durable things on earth inevitably fall apart and deteriorate. However, the speaker … Read more
