American short stories

Many themes can be seen throughout American literature, themes in literature can be divided into two categories: what is the story about and what is the meaning of the story. While there are a large amounts of themes across American Short Stories, there a two themes that are most common than others, Death and Romance. Death is one of the most popular themes that can be found in short stories, and romance too is another popular theme that is found. The theme of death can represent authors mental states, emotions, and views on life and life tragedies through their characters and stories. Death in American Short Stories can been seen to have a much deeper meaning, it shows readers that death is seen to be always present in life. The theme of romance…

sat there, they wondered about the reason for their visit. Minutes later, an officer and a boy of around twenty years old walked in. The young man kept his head down, pulled up a chair, and sat across from the O’Briens. As he looked up, the tears were forming in his eyes. They glistened as he opened his mouth, but no words came out. The young man hoarsely mentioned that he had found Thomas. The O’Briens sat in disbelief for what seemed like eternity before the young man continued. He…

BOO! Jimmy jumped as it was Halloween and his sister scared him. HAHAHA! Jimmy was ready this year for Halloween because last year he got his candy stolen. Jimmy was a soldier this year and he mimicked American Sniper “Chris Kyle”. This was an amazing person and the best sniper. Jimmy was a kid with dark hair and about 5ft tall. Also he was 50% Mexican so he was very tan. Finally Jimmy was a male, and a very nice person with a good personality. So Jimmy left the house to go trick or treating…

I’m not the one you would probably notice on the floor, in the pool, or on the court. I started United States of America Gymnastics (USAG) when I was seven years old and every coach I had would tell me I’m not good enough. Maybe they were right, maybe I wasn’t good enough. I couldn’t get a split on the floor, and I didn’t have the strength to finish a simple bar routine and a vault. No one believed in me. Going to practice one morning, I told myself that I am not the best but that shouldn’t…

Aiden Parker was a simple 17-year-old boy. He wasn’t special or even average. If anything, he was below average. He had a small, wimpy physique with short, frizzy, brown hair and brown eyes. As Aiden walks through the halls of his humongous school, those that surround him, his peers, don’t even acknowledge his existence. He easily blends in with the lockers, a technique he has spent years perfecting. Aiden is perfectly satisfied with his life. “One more year and then I’m off to college,” he says…

The weather was pleasant and warm, not excessively hot to the point where it would be uncomfortable sleeping. The birds tweeting almost as if they were singing outside and the children’s laughter made the day perfect. It all sounded so perfect and oh so soothing. Just as I was home laying on the ground about to nap, I heard a call from the others. There was an enormous commotion commencing right outdoors and my slumber was disrupted by everyone’s running and uproar outside. I left the luxury and…

life that contribute to our development as individuals whether it is social, familial, or certain living circumstances. At a young age, we are introduced to new ideas that allow us to discover the many ways in which we are the same or different from others. We are born without rules and because of this, we cherish that ignorance, is in fact bliss when we become wiser. The idea of an innocent mindset maturing into what some may call experienced, is exemplified in one of the stories from the book…

The word “dirty” is an interesting word coming from a poverty and race context. We often think of people who aren’t “white” as “dirty.” I’ve heard it time and time again, “Dirt Mexican,” and it’s such a cruel way to describe a person who is just out here trying to work their way out of poverty. “Dirty” is a name we can’t get rid of; it is a word associated with race, financial status, and locations. There is a clear connection between poverty, slums, and race in creative texts; when applying…

Roy looked forward in distaste. In front of him sat a small house that resembled that of the 'American Dream'. Hell, there was even white picket fence and a petite garden protected by garden gnome. The exterior had white paneled walls that covered a good part of the outside, except for some sides of the house that had light gray brick with a dense overgrowth of ivy. To add to the primness, there was even a cobblestone path hugged by rose bushes and ornaments that led up to the front door. It…

In “Everyday Use”, Dee who is the antagonist in the short story went to college where she forgets her identity and adopts a new identity and culture. Dee sees her culture as an outdated and something not modern so she changes her name to Wangero. The quilt is the biggest symbol in this short story because it identity’s that Dee struggled between her heritage and culture. As addressed “God knows I been saving ‘em for long enough with nobody using ‘em. I hope she will!” “I didn't want to bring up…