The story "The Winter Sound” by Herbert Ernest Bates tells the simple story of a woman who has entered into adulthood. The only creature close to her is a small poodle, which she trained to look at other dogs with disdain and mockery. The dog’s “snobbery” became a reflection of the owner’s internal perception of the world around her.
The author described the main character’s casual acquaintance with a man, who unexpectedly appeared at the house at the end of September.
The story is simple, unremarkable, in general, the most ordinary, without intrigue and strong shocks.
Bates is like British Chekhov: the same short, laconic phrases, detailed description of everyday scenes and an abundance of dialogues. An absence of moralizing and attempts to moralize, subtle authorial irony and dispassionate narration, devoid of any emotions.
Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://vk.com/doc19855333_676160648?hash=oyChIT0gL3ABWrfSJ4ZhYqJkP4nhmAEAZdTa2CCyGYo&dl=Ksprb02EakO8UTDEvqL4m8yT95FCR3rZ3AltfcrUJUz&api=1&no_preview=1
The story "Flood Show" by Charles Baxter includes lots of descriptions of everyday life of a small city. The narration is full of allegories such as signs related to memories of the main character.
The plot tells about a man who almost drowns trying to cross a flooded river to reunite with his ex-wife. It takes ostensibly strange turns to get to his sentimental conclusions.
Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/issues/95jun/flood.htm
The story «The Skylight Room» by O. Henry masterfully condemns human callousness, egoism, which is combined with the humiliation of human dignity.
The main character is the girl who lives on the very top of the house is in a stuffy, cramped attic with sloping bare walls, so reminiscent of a coffin, and a single window. Here live people who are not able to pay much money for rent.
This girl manages to find an outlet even in such a gloomy attic. An outlet that saved her even in the most difficult moments.
Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://americanliterature.com/author/o-henry/short-story/the-skylight-room
The story “The Gentleman from San Francisco'' by Ivan Buninthe begins since a ship landes safely in Naples.
The author does not name the rich main character from San Francisco. We only know that he is 58 years old. Why? Because this is a collective image.
Here he is rather as a symbol of the material world. He is used to living in luxury, he is self-confident, self-sufficient, and he makes grandiose plans.
The story can be divided for two parts: before and after it (something) happens.
Much of the story is allegorical, the author of course invented the whole plot, but how relevant it is! It makes us think about our priorities, the choices we make, and the overall meaning of our lives.
Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://americanliterature.com/author/ivan-bunin/short-story/the-gentleman-from-san-francisco
