The Dead by James Joyce — Review

The story "The Dead" is the last in the book "The Dubliners" by the most prominent Irish writer James Joyce. The author shows in this work the inner world of Irish people. Readers watch on as one emotion replaces another.

 

In the centre of the story is a Christmas ball, which is given by three sisters, ladies of mature age, to whom relatives and friends have gathered. The story takes place during one evening.  

Through the title of the story "The Dead" the author attributes it to the stage of human existence. 

 

This is a link to the text of the story:

https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/greatworks540spring2013/files/2013/03/James-Joyce_The-Dead.pdf

God's Thunder - Movie Review

Despite being an old back and white film (1965) - it is magnificent, soulful, with a deep meaning.

Gabin’s character is an elder misanthrope, who at the same time heals animals and helps mares deliver. The protagonist's wife, a wise woman who may seem cold-blooded and lifeless at first, turns out to be more of a kind person. The young heroine, Michelle Mercier, is a beauty with an easy character.

The movie creates a feeling of melancholy, with a cheerful mood. Even negative characters here do not lose heart, and the pacifying effect of the film is noticeable.

A Story Without A Title by Anton Chekhov— Reviews

The very short story with the title “A Story Without A Title”  by Anton Chekhov is an anecdote disguised as a historical legend about a wise monk.  He went to the city to instruct those lost and mired in sins. Three months later, the old man returned.

Among other possible conclusions, readers may agree that sometimes anti-advertising arouses more interest than purposefully praising the positive qualities of something.

 

This is a very funny work, thoroughly saturated with sarcasm.  

This is a link to the text of the story:

https://americanliterature.com/author/anton-chekhov/short-story/a-story-without-a-title

The Tent by Liam O' Flaherty — Review

In the short story “The Tent” the Irish writer Liam O' Flaherty described the circumstances when people are ready to help each other but their actions might lead them in another direction.

The author showed the features of human characters from outside, without expressing his own opinion. He stayed neutral and it gives readers the space for interpretation.

The story was published in the “The Oxford Book of Short Stories”. Here is the link:

https://vn1lib.org/book/1179853/587fec

The Destructors By Graham Greene — Review

The short story “The Destructors” by Graham Greene might give rise to many negative emotions. The author put a rhetorical question to his readers and himself: what is the purpose of destroying? Some would say that destruction is a form of creation, which also requires imagination, planning, hard work and clear organization.

There are many details included in the narration which can be taken into account for analyzing the plot: 

- there was only one house which was not ruined during the war, “a smaller bomb and some incendiaries had fallen beyond so that the house stuck up like a jagged tooth and carried on the further wall relics of its neighbor”

- the main character was a son of a former architect and he understood the beauty of the house;

-  nobody had a feeling of hatred against a person who consequently suffered.

After the reading, we can look at these circumstances and maybe find more information for analyzing this story.



Here is the link to the text of the story:

https://100mudcats.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/destructors.pdf

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman — Review

The short story, “The Yellow Wallpaper”, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is about a mentally unstable lady who examines the yellow wallpaper in the bedroom of a rented house. The author created a very oppressive, unpleasant but also very intriguing atmosphere.

 

During the narration, the story gradually builds up and increases the tension. In the end, it already seems that the words are electrified. The meaning in the text is very important. Finally, it left behind a very oppressive feeling.

Here is the link to the text of the story:

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/theliteratureofprescription/exhibitionAssets/digitalDocs/The-Yellow-Wall-Paper.pdf

Telemachus, Friend by O.Henry — Review

 

The short story O. Henry "Telemachus, Friend" can not only be called a humorous miniature, but also its attributes to the category of anecdote.

 

It talks of how absurd friends maybe if they strictly adhere to equality in communications with their loved ones. The courtship begins strictly according to the rules, there are no advantages over each other. Only possible dates together.

 

Interesting are the statements of one of the characters about two ways to conquer a woman's heart, as well as about his experience in seduction and flirting.

Here is the link to the text of the story:

https://americanliterature.com/author/o-henry/short-story/telemachus-friend