Two Kinds by Amy Tan — Review

The story “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan tells about the childhood of the protagonist, a Chinese-American teenager and the consequences of her mother's high expectations of being a child prodigy. 

Possible interpretations of the title "Two Kinds" is mentioned by the narrator's mother: Only two kinds of daughters,… those who are obedient and those who follow their own minds….

 

Also, the narrator mentions two types of music, "Pleading Child" and "Perfectly Contented" and concludes, “… they were two halves of the same song”.

 

Here is the link to the text of the story:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/scschoolfiles/400/two_kinds_by_amy_tan.pdf

A Worn Path by Eudora Welty — Review

The story “A Worn Path” by American writer Eudora Welty tells about an old African American woman walking through the woods into town. She encounters many obstacles on her way - a ditch, barbed-wire fence, a thorny bush, etc. 

Through many difficulties, she goes to get medicine for her grandson, who accidentally swallowed lye several years ago. Her love for him is so strong and deep that, despite her old age, she starts this difficult journey on the eve of each Christmas.

 

The concept of "path" is universal. The way people go - reflects their lives.

 

Here is the link to the text of the story:

https://surry.haikulearning.com/c/4833729/file/show/55954873

The Young Folks by Jerome David Salinger — Review

The short story “The Young Folks” by Jerome David Salinger belongs to the early stories of this writer. It is rather not even a story, but a sketch.  

 

Party, teenagers, a girl who is pretending to be herself, a good host, a young man who has fallen into the spell of a girl, a conversation about nothing, alcohol, cigarettes.  Everything is as it should be. 

 

The narration is simple and naturalistic. The author gives the reader a unique opportunity just to observe people and make their own conclusions. Every person goes through this stage. Therefore, everyone can recognize themselves in these teenagers and refresh memories in the memory. 

 

Everyone had such unpretentious but at the same time very important memories.  And after reading this short story, the reader can immerse themselves in it. 

 

Here is the link to the text of the story:

https://www.ae-lib.org.ua/texts/salinger__early_stories__en.htm#01

The Force of Circumstance by W.S. Maugham — Review

The story “The  Force of Circumstance” by British writer W.S. Maugham tells about the relationship between a loving husband and wife after the truth about the past is revealed.

 

The actions of the story take place on the island of Sembulu in Polynesia at the time when it was a British colony.

 

The main character acts according to circumstances, and, without hesitation, does not think about the effect on other people. The main idea of ​​the author is that some people, because of their selfishness, destroy other people's destinies. The story is realistic and has a gripping plot and deep emotional impact on the reader.

 

Here is the link to the plot of the story:

http://literature4everyone.blogspot.com/2008/07/force-of-circumstance-w-somerset.html