The short story occupies a unique space amongst the different categories of literary works as a midpoint between the concise, morality based fable and the more drawn out, plot-driven novella. Thus, the author of a short story faces the challenging task of implementing engrossing descriptions into a fast-paced plot. A successful short story can prove truly phenomenal in its ability to change a reader’s outlook on life or the world within a short timespan. Recently, I’ve read a number of different short stories from American literature and I wanted to share some of my favorites. I’d highly recommend the anthology “Great American Short Stories: Hawthorne to Hemingway” for those interested in engaging further with the short stories of the American literary canon.
The Birth-Mark
“Perfect is the enemy of the good” is a common phrase and generally excellent life advice, and the idea behind it arguably serves as the basis for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “The Birth-Mark.” The story revolves around an ambitious and extremely intelligent scientist, Aylmer, and his beautiful wife Georgiana. Georgiana’s physical features appear essentially perfect, with the exception of a small facial birthmark. “The Birth-Mark” largely centers on Aylmer’s obsessive quest to remove the birthmark and thus allow Georgiana to achieve total perfection. It’s a great read, not only for its emotional weight, but also for the thought-provoking philosophical questions which it poses. With human ingenuity’s role in lifting millions out of poverty and transforming peoples’ quality of life within the last decades, assuming that science and technology are purely positive goods becomes rather easy. “The Birth-Mark” reminds us of the potential pitfalls of humanity’s eternal quest for progress.
Bartleby the Scrivener
While on the surface taking a much lighter tone than “The Birth-Mark,” “Bartleby the Scrivener” by Herman Melville combines comedic elements with a tragic message about modern life. The titular main character is a mid-level employee at a Wall Street firm, where he initially lives a fairly normal life before suddenly answering “I would prefer not to” to a mundane job-related request. The rest of the short story consists primarily of Bartleby absurdly responding “I would prefer not to” to every question asked of him. Ultimately, after Bartleby stops doing any work-related tasks, he gets evicted and later is sent to prison. Bartleby’s downward spiral, as illogical as it may appear, makes for an interesting commentary on the draining nature of modern work. Bartleby’s line of work was rather rare in the 1850s when Meville’s short story was written, with most Americans working in agriculture or in manufacturing. However, roughly 150 years later, a substantial portion of the world works within dull, office-based professions, and many have suffered through the same mental deterioration that Bartleby undergoes.
Winter Dreams
Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald of “The Great Gatsby” fame, “Winter Dreams” expounds upon many of the same timeless themes as its author’s most famous work, albeit in a somewhat different manner. The story focuses around Dexter Green, a middle-class Minnesotan who has dreamed of a relationship with the beautiful, rich, socialite Judy Jones for his entire life. Dexter Green maintains his unrequited love through his college years, his early career, his service in World War I, and his later life as a successful businessman in New York. Reading “Winter Dreams” after “The Great Gatsby” allows for a fascinating comparison of Dexter and Jay, with Dexter’s ultimate acceptance of the loss of his dream contrasting with the persistence of Jay’s idealism all the way up to his tragic death. Dexter’s honest means for earning his wealth and his generally righteous demeanor also contrasts with Jay’s frequently illegal activities and debauchery-filled parties. However, even as a standalone story “Winter Dreams” remains captivating due to its distinctive characters and suspenseful plot.
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