Ah, the stories we had…
In my last post, I was all set to wax philosophical about an English textbook I got in senior high school as a fresh-faced young scholar, and later used myself as an English teacher. But, in one of my patented teaching modes --- my students used to insist that, during class lectures or discussions, I’d go off on a tangent at the drop of a hat --- I spent most of the post discharging some long-festering psychological freight I’ve clearly been carrying around for quite some time. So. Today… Story and Structure (second edition). Published by Harcourt, Brace & World, 1966.
(I hastily add I was not in high school in 1966. No dinosaurs here, no sirree. My name and the date --- 1975-76 --- is clearly labelled in pen on the inside cover… which is a whole ten years after publication. No, I’m not doing the math for you. Take my word, I’m just a spring chicken. Still wet behind the ears. On my first rodeo. Just born yesterday. And a host of other hoary old clichés.)
(And I’m afraid the exact stories we read from the text in that, my grade 12 year, are lost in the mists of time. I mean, it has been a year or six. Or more. Mrs. Pogue, my English teacher for both grades 10 and 12, God rest her soul, was a kindly older woman who once compared my writing to Thomas Hardy. She meant it as a compliment, and I was highly flattered until I actually read Tess of the D’Urbervilles in first-year university. Then, well, not so much: I found Tess dense, turgid, and dreadfully dull; given the choice, I would cheerfully have consigned her to the depths of DNF hell. But her tale was for an assignment, so, being the conscientious academic type I was, that wasn’t an option, and it never occurred to me to go hunting for the Coles Notes. However… I read Tess over the weekend before the term paper was due (subscribing to the long scholastic tradition of never doing today what you can put off until tomorrow). I vividly remember having the mother of all colds at the time, so was heavily hopped up on cold medicines, which back in the day, seemed to contain stuff a helluva lot more potent than today’s ‘all-natural, gentle ingredients.’ So I’m prepared to admit I may not have been completely in my right mind when reading Tess, and perhaps should give both her and Mr. Hardy another chance.)
Hmm. I begin to understand what my students meant about tangents. Let’s rewind a little. So. Today… Story and Structure (second edition). Published by Harcourt, Brace & World, 1966.
When I began teaching English, I sought for my students stories I had fond memories of, so it wasn’t long before I spotted my copy of Story and Structure, and we were off down memory lane. Man, for one textbook, it was a treasure trove of classic, great, readable short stories. And its essays on the elements of the short story contained all sorts of grist for the mill, which I used in my classes. So herewith, a short compendium, in no particular order, of some of those great stories I read, enjoyed, and shared with a new generation of students.
Hernando Tellez, Just Lather, That’s All A barber who’s also a secret revolutionary in an unnamed South American country is given the chance to bring his straight razor up against the throat of his worst enemy, the local government commander. But our barber discovers getting your heart’s desire isn’t necessarily always a good thing.
Willa Cather, Paul’s Case Like many people in our incredibly affluent, fantasy-driven society, Paul cannot bear the reality of life on the lower rungs of the ladder. When given the opportunity, he bolts with a wad of stolen money to live the high life he’s always dreamed of. But it comes with a dreadful cost.
James Thurber, The Catbird Seat Erwin Martin, described as a “drab, ordinary little man” by his nemesis, is one of the millions of worker drones who toil in white-collar offices day after day. But when he realizes that the foundations of his well-ordered world are in peril from the forces of progress/chaos, he thwarts the threat by acting completely against type.
Shirley Jackson, The Lottery Oh, man, what need I say about this classic? Is there a high school student in North America who hasn’t read this cautionary tale about the dangers of mindless conformity and complacence?
Frank O’Connor, The Drunkard A young Irish boy accompanies his dad into the local pub, swiping the old man’s beer when no one’s looking. Unintentional hilarity ensues, with a bonus finish to the tale which you might not expect.
Paul Gallico, The Enchanted Doll American writer Paul Gallico, who would go on to great fame with The Poseidon Adventure, wrote this intimate, tender story about the power of love to heal all kinds of physical and spiritual hurts.
John Collier, Thus I Refute Beelzy A creepy little tale about a young boy’s imaginary friend who turns out to be unpleasantly, evilly, not so imaginary. The giveaway is in the title…
D.H. Lawrence, The Rocking Horse Winner An unexpected entry from D.H. Lawrence, who was far more famous for his (at the time of publication) shockingly explicit Lady Chatterley’s Lover. The Rocking Horse Winner is another creepy story about a young boy who uses supernatural forces to predict the outcome of horse races, with suitably creepy results.
Jean-Paul Sartre, The Wall Sartre is most famous as a philosopher, but this story, set during the Spanish Civil War --- the title refers to the wall where prisoners are stood against to be shot --- is really a tale of death and strange chances, which leads to a suitable plot twist and surprise ending.
Philip Roth, Defender of the Faith An egocentric, narcissist young soldier-in-training is taught an important life lesson by his sergeant in this World War Two tale.
Katherine Mansfield, Miss Brill A sad tale about the callousness of people and the power of words to puncture dreams.
So there we have it. Masterpieces of the short story, all of them. If you’re unfamiliar with any or all… correct that mistake forthwith, will you?
In my last post, I was all set to wax philosophical about an English textbook I got in senior high school as a fresh-faced young scholar, and later used myself as an English teacher. But, in one of my patented teaching modes --- my students used to insist that, during class lectures or discussions, I’d go off on a tangent at the drop of a hat --- I spent most of the post discharging some long-festering psychological freight I’ve clearly been carrying around for quite some time. So. Today… Story and Structure (second edition). Published by Harcourt, Brace & World, 1966.
(I hastily add I was not in high school in 1966. No dinosaurs here, no sirree. My name and the date --- 1975-76 --- is clearly labelled in pen on the inside cover… which is a whole ten years after publication. No, I’m not doing the math for you. Take my word, I’m just a spring chicken. Still wet behind the ears. On my first rodeo. Just born yesterday. And a host of other hoary old clichés.)
(And I’m afraid the exact stories we read from the text in that, my grade 12 year, are lost in the mists of time. I mean, it has been a year or six. Or more. Mrs. Pogue, my English teacher for both grades 10 and 12, God rest her soul, was a kindly older woman who once compared my writing to Thomas Hardy. She meant it as a compliment, and I was highly flattered until I actually read Tess of the D’Urbervilles in first-year university. Then, well, not so much: I found Tess dense, turgid, and dreadfully dull; given the choice, I would cheerfully have consigned her to the depths of DNF hell. But her tale was for an assignment, so, being the conscientious academic type I was, that wasn’t an option, and it never occurred to me to go hunting for the Coles Notes. However… I read Tess over the weekend before the term paper was due (subscribing to the long scholastic tradition of never doing today what you can put off until tomorrow). I vividly remember having the mother of all colds at the time, so was heavily hopped up on cold medicines, which back in the day, seemed to contain stuff a helluva lot more potent than today’s ‘all-natural, gentle ingredients.’ So I’m prepared to admit I may not have been completely in my right mind when reading Tess, and perhaps should give both her and Mr. Hardy another chance.)
Hmm. I begin to understand what my students meant about tangents. Let’s rewind a little. So. Today… Story and Structure (second edition). Published by Harcourt, Brace & World, 1966.
When I began teaching English, I sought for my students stories I had fond memories of, so it wasn’t long before I spotted my copy of Story and Structure, and we were off down memory lane. Man, for one textbook, it was a treasure trove of classic, great, readable short stories. And its essays on the elements of the short story contained all sorts of grist for the mill, which I used in my classes. So herewith, a short compendium, in no particular order, of some of those great stories I read, enjoyed, and shared with a new generation of students.
Hernando Tellez, Just Lather, That’s All A barber who’s also a secret revolutionary in an unnamed South American country is given the chance to bring his straight razor up against the throat of his worst enemy, the local government commander. But our barber discovers getting your heart’s desire isn’t necessarily always a good thing.
Willa Cather, Paul’s Case Like many people in our incredibly affluent, fantasy-driven society, Paul cannot bear the reality of life on the lower rungs of the ladder. When given the opportunity, he bolts with a wad of stolen money to live the high life he’s always dreamed of. But it comes with a dreadful cost.
James Thurber, The Catbird Seat Erwin Martin, described as a “drab, ordinary little man” by his nemesis, is one of the millions of worker drones who toil in white-collar offices day after day. But when he realizes that the foundations of his well-ordered world are in peril from the forces of progress/chaos, he thwarts the threat by acting completely against type.
Shirley Jackson, The Lottery Oh, man, what need I say about this classic? Is there a high school student in North America who hasn’t read this cautionary tale about the dangers of mindless conformity and complacence?
Frank O’Connor, The Drunkard A young Irish boy accompanies his dad into the local pub, swiping the old man’s beer when no one’s looking. Unintentional hilarity ensues, with a bonus finish to the tale which you might not expect.
Paul Gallico, The Enchanted Doll American writer Paul Gallico, who would go on to great fame with The Poseidon Adventure, wrote this intimate, tender story about the power of love to heal all kinds of physical and spiritual hurts.
John Collier, Thus I Refute Beelzy A creepy little tale about a young boy’s imaginary friend who turns out to be unpleasantly, evilly, not so imaginary. The giveaway is in the title…
D.H. Lawrence, The Rocking Horse Winner An unexpected entry from D.H. Lawrence, who was far more famous for his (at the time of publication) shockingly explicit Lady Chatterley’s Lover. The Rocking Horse Winner is another creepy story about a young boy who uses supernatural forces to predict the outcome of horse races, with suitably creepy results.
Jean-Paul Sartre, The Wall Sartre is most famous as a philosopher, but this story, set during the Spanish Civil War --- the title refers to the wall where prisoners are stood against to be shot --- is really a tale of death and strange chances, which leads to a suitable plot twist and surprise ending.
Philip Roth, Defender of the Faith An egocentric, narcissist young soldier-in-training is taught an important life lesson by his sergeant in this World War Two tale.
Katherine Mansfield, Miss Brill A sad tale about the callousness of people and the power of words to puncture dreams.
So there we have it. Masterpieces of the short story, all of them. If you’re unfamiliar with any or all… correct that mistake forthwith, will you?
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