SHORT STORY
1. Introduction to the Short
Story
A short story is a brief work of
prose fiction that focuses on a single incident, character, or theme. It is
designed to create a single, unified impression on the reader.
Unlike novels, short stories are concise, aiming to evoke emotion or insight
through economy of words and intensity of expression. A piece of fictional
prose, usually between 1,000 and 7,500 words (though some definitions vary,
reaching up to 20,000 words), that aims to create a singular, intense effect or
mood.
Definition:
According to
Edgar Allan Poe, a short story is “a tale that can be read in
one sitting and produces a single effect.”
H. E. Bates described it as “something glimpsed from the corner of the
eye, in passing.”
Main
Characteristics:
Brevity: Its limited length
necessitates economy of language and detail.
Single Effect: Often strives to evoke a
specific, focused impression on the reader (a concept popularized by Edgar
Allan Poe).
Concise Scope: Typically revolves around one
main character and one major conflict or series of closely linked incidents.
Complete Theme: Despite its short
length, it must present a complete and developed idea or message.
Brief and focused narrative
Few characters
Single setting or event
Unified theme or mood
Concise plot and quick resolution
2. Evolution and Development
of the Short Story
(a) Ancient Origins
The short
story has ancient roots in oral traditions, fables, parables,
legends, and myths.
Examples:
Aesop’s Fables (Greece)
Jataka Tales (India)
Panchatantra (India)
The Bible’s Parables
Arabian Nights (The Thousand
and One Nights)
(b) Middle Ages
Chaucer’s The Canterbury
Tales and Boccaccio’s The
Decameron are important precursors.
These
stories were still long but contained the seeds of modern short fiction — a
focus on character and event.
(c) 19th Century: The Birth
of the Modern Short Story
The short
story as a distinct literary form emerged in the 19th
century.
Edgar Allan Poe (USA) is often called the father of the modern short story.
His stories
like The Tell-Tale Heart and The Fall of the House of Usher
introduced psychological depth and unity of effect.
In Europe,
writers like Guy de Maupassant (France) and Anton
Chekhov (Russia) refined the art:
Maupassant focused on twist endings and realism.
Chekhov emphasized mood, character, and subtlety over plot.
(d) 20th Century Onwards
The short
story flourished worldwide with writers like:
James Joyce, Katherine Mansfield, O. Henry,
D.H. Lawrence, Ernest Hemingway, Saadat
Hasan Manto, R.K. Narayan, Munshi Premchand,
etc.
The form
became more psychological, symbolic, and experimental.
Today, short
stories are published widely in magazines, anthologies, and online platforms.
3. Kinds (Types) of Short
Stories
Short stories can be classified by genre or by
specific structural styles:
By Genre: The short story accommodates
nearly all fictional genres, including:
Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction,
Horror, Mystery, Romance, Comedy, Satire, Tragedy, Western, and Literary Fiction.
By Style/Length: Short Short
Story/Flash Fiction: Extremely brief, relying heavily on implication and
suggestion.
Slice
of Life:
Focuses on an ordinary event or period in a character's life, often without a
strong plot arc.
Parable/Fable: A short tale designed to
convey a moral lesson.
Realistic
Story
– depicts ordinary life and believable events.
Example: “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry.
Psychological
Story
– focuses on the inner life, emotions, and thoughts of characters.
Example: “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe.
Detective
or Mystery Story
– centers around a crime or puzzle.
Example: Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes” stories.
Adventure
Story
– involves action, danger, and excitement.
Example: “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell.
Social or
Problem Story
– deals with social issues, injustices, or moral problems.
Example: “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant.
Fantasy or
Supernatural Story
– includes magical, strange, or otherworldly elements.
Example: “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs.
Humorous
Story
– written to amuse or entertain.
Example: Mark Twain’s short stories.
Allegorical
or Symbolic Story
– carries a deeper moral or philosophical meaning.
Example: “The Happy Prince” by Oscar Wilde.
4. Elements of a Short Story
A good short story usually contains the following
elements:
1. Characters
Definition: The individuals who take part in
the story's action.
In a Short
Story: Typically features one main protagonist and a few minor characters. Due
to the word count constraint, characters are often not fully developed or do
not undergo complex, long-term evolution (unlike in a novel).
2. Setting
Definition: The
time and place where the events of the story unfold.
In a Short
Story: The setting is often simplified or limited to a single location and time
frame. It is crucial for establishing mood and context, often influencing the
characters' actions and the story's conflict.
3. Plot
Definition: The sequence of events or actions
in the story; the "what" happens.
Traditional Structure (Plot Arc):
Exposition:
Introduction of setting, characters, and basic situation.
Rising Action: A series of events that build
tension, leading to the climax.
Climax: The moment of greatest tension, the
turning point of the story, or the ultimate confrontation.
Falling Action: The events immediately
following the climax, leading toward the resolution.
Resolution (Denouement): The conclusion, where
the conflict is resolved and the final outcome is revealed.
In a Short Story: Usually focuses on a single,
concentrated plot with minimal subplots.
4.
Conflict
Definition: The
struggle between opposing forces; the engine of the plot.
In a Short
Story: Typically focuses on one major conflict. Conflict can be:
External:
Character vs. Character, Character vs. Nature, Character vs. Society.
Internal:
Character vs. Self.
5. Theme
Definition: The main idea, underlying meaning,
or message the author wishes to convey; the "why" of the story.
In a Short Story: Must be fully developed and
often contributes to the story's single intended effect.
6. Point
of View (POV)
Definition: The perspective from which the
story is told.
Common POVs:
First Person:
The narrator is a character in the story ("I").
Third Person Omniscient: The narrator knows
everything about all characters and events.
Third Person Limited: The narrator knows only
the thoughts and feelings of one character.
7. Style and Tone
The author’s
way of writing — language, imagery, rhythm, and choice of words.
The tone
may be humorous, tragic, ironic, or serious.
8. Symbolism and Imagery
Use of
objects or actions to represent deeper meanings.
Example: In “The Gift of the Magi,” the gifts symbolize love and
sacrifice.
Conclusion: A short story is a
concise work of prose fiction that can typically be read in a single sitting.
It is generally characterized by a single, unified effect, focusing on one or a
few significant incidents, featuring a limited number of characters, and
possessing a fully developed theme.
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