SHORT STORY ANALYSIS

Short Story Analysis Title: The Necklace Author: Guy de Maupassant __________________________________________________________ Setting The story takes place in Paris, France, during the late 19th century, mostly in the modest home of the Loisel family and at a lavish ball held by the Ministry of Education. __________________________________________________________ Characters • Madame Mathilde Loisel – A beautiful but dissatisfied woman who longs for a luxurious life. • Monsieur Loisel – Her supportive and content husband who works as a clerk. • Madame Forestier – Mathilde’s wealthy friend who lends her the necklace. _________________________________________ Theme The story explores the theme of appearance vs. reality, materialism, and the consequences of pride and vanity. It teaches that honesty is better than pretending to be something you're not. ________________________________________ Tone The author’s tone is critical yet sympathetic—he subtly criticizes social class obsession and materialism while showing empathy toward the characters’ suffering. ________________________________________ Mood As a reader, the mood transitions from hopeful and glamorous to tense and tragic, especially after the necklace is lost and the Loisels fall into poverty. ________________________________________ Imagery • The elegant ball gown and the glittering necklace. • The lavish party with music, dancing, and fine dining. • The contrast of their poor apartment and years of hard labor. ________________________________________ Point of View The story is told from a third-person limited point of view, mostly following Madame Loisel’s thoughts and feelings. ________________________________________ Conflict • Person vs. Self: Mathilde struggles with her dissatisfaction and pride. • Person vs. Society: She feels oppressed by her lower social status. • Person vs. Fate: The twist ending reveals a cruel irony brought by chance. ________________________________________ Irony The story’s situational irony is that the necklace Mathilde borrows—and loses—is actually fake, and she spends ten years repaying a debt for something that was not real. ________________________________________ Foreshadowing • Mathilde’s obsession with wealth and appearances hints that her desire for luxury will lead to her downfall. ________________________________________ Symbolism / Motif 1. The Necklace – Symbolizes wealth and status but is ultimately a false representation. 2. The Ball – Represents a temporary escape from reality and her social class. 3. Hard Labor – A motif showing the real cost of vanity and pride. Short Story Analysis Title: Thank You, Ma'am Author: Langston Hughes ________________________________________ Setting The story is set in an urban neighborhood in America, most likely during the 1950s. The scenes take place on the street and in Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones’s modest home. ________________________________________ Characters • Roger – A young boy who tries to steal a purse but is caught. • Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones – A strong, compassionate woman who teaches Roger a lesson in kindness and respect. ________________________________________ Theme The story explores themes of forgiveness, trust, second chances, and the impact of kindness on personal growth. It shows that compassion can be more powerful than punishment. ________________________________________ Tone The author’s tone is warm, understanding, and moralistic. He gently shows the possibility of redemption through empathy and human connection. ________________________________________ Mood As a reader, the mood feels tense at first (during the attempted theft), but quickly becomes heartwarming and hopeful as Mrs. Jones chooses to help Roger instead of punishing him. ________________________________________ Imagery • The street where Roger is caught. • Mrs. Jones’s home with a modest meal. • The image of Roger trying to clean his face with a towel—signifying change and care. ________________________________________ Point of View The story is told in third-person limited point of view, mainly focusing on Roger’s experience and thoughts. ________________________________________ Conflict • Person vs. Person: Roger vs. Mrs. Jones at the beginning (attempted theft). • Person vs. Self: Roger’s internal struggle with guilt and the choice to change. • Person vs. Society: Roger represents a youth affected by poverty and poor choices. ________________________________________ Irony There is situational irony in the story: instead of reporting Roger or punishing him, Mrs. Jones takes him home, feeds him, and gives him money—showing unexpected compassion. ________________________________________ Foreshadowing Mrs. Jones’s calm reaction after the theft attempt hints that she’s been through similar experiences and might treat the boy with understanding rather than anger. ________________________________________ Symbolism / Motif 1. The Purse – Symbolizes trust and temptation. Roger could have stolen it again, but chose not to. 2. The Door Left Open – Symbolizes opportunity and trust; Mrs. Jones tests Roger’s character. 3. Washing the Face – A symbol of cleansing and change, representing Roger’s potential for a fresh start. Short Story Analysis Title: The Gift of the Magi Author: O. Henry ________________________________________ Setting The story takes place in a modest apartment and a city street in New York around Christmas time in the early 1900s. ________________________________________ Characters • Della Young – A loving, selfless wife who sacrifices her prized possession to buy a gift for her husband. • Jim Young – Della’s husband who also sacrifices something valuable to buy a gift for Della. ________________________________________ Theme The main theme is sacrificial love. The story shows how true love means giving up something valuable for the sake of another person. It also touches on irony, poverty, and selflessness. ________________________________________ Tone The author’s tone is affectionate and ironic. O. Henry admires the couple’s love while gently highlighting the twist of their well-intentioned sacrifices. ________________________________________ Mood The mood is warm and touching, with a mix of sadness and joy when the couple realizes the irony of their gifts. ________________________________________ Imagery • Della’s long, beautiful hair flowing like a river. • The tiny flat they live in, barely furnished. • The watch chain and the hair combs—their thoughtful gifts to each other. ________________________________________ Point of View The story is told in third-person omniscient. The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of both characters. ________________________________________ Conflict • Person vs. Circumstance: The couple struggles with poverty. • Person vs. Self: Della debates whether to sell her hair for money. • Person vs. Fate: Both try to give the perfect gift, only to find it’s unusable. ________________________________________ Irony The story contains dramatic and situational irony: Della sells her hair to buy Jim a chain for his watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy Della combs for her hair. ________________________________________ Foreshadowing The detailed description of Della’s hair and Jim’s watch foreshadows the role these items will play in the twist ending. ________________________________________ Symbolism / Motif 1. Hair and Watch – Represent personal pride and sacrifice. 2. Christmas Gifts – Symbolize love, not materialism. 3. The Magi – Symbolize wisdom and giving; the narrator compares the couple’s sacrifice to that of the wise men. Short Story Analysis Title: A Sound of Thunder Author: Ray Bradbury ________________________________________ Setting The story is set in two time periods: 1. The year 2055, in a high-tech time travel company called “Time Safari, Inc.” 2. Prehistoric Earth, during the time of the dinosaurs—specifically, moments before the extinction of a Tyrannosaurus rex. ________________________________________ Characters • Eckels – A hunter who travels back in time to hunt dinosaurs. • Mr. Travis – The guide from Time Safari, Inc. who enforces strict rules about time travel. • Lesperance – Travis’s assistant who scouts dinosaurs before the safaris. • Other Hunters – Minor characters who participate in the expedition. ________________________________________ Theme The story focuses on the butterfly effect, a concept in chaos theory that small actions can lead to vast, unpredictable consequences. It also explores human arrogance, the dangers of technology, and respect for nature and time. ________________________________________ Tone The tone is tense, cautionary, and foreboding. Bradbury builds suspense and presents a serious warning about the consequences of careless actions. ________________________________________ Mood The mood is initially exciting but quickly becomes ominous and anxious, especially after Eckels steps off the path and the consequences unfold. ________________________________________ Imagery • The massive, terrifying Tyrannosaurus rex crashing through the forest. • The glowing Time Machine and the shimmering wall of time. • The crushed butterfly on Eckels’s shoe. ________________________________________ Point of View The story is written in third-person limited, focusing mostly on Eckels's thoughts and experiences. ________________________________________ Conflict • Person vs. Self: Eckels doubts and panics about his role in the hunt. • Person vs. Nature: The humans try to control and hunt nature (dinosaurs). • Person vs. Technology/Time: The misuse of time travel leads to irreversible damage. ________________________________________ Irony Situational irony is strong: Eckels joins a thrilling hunt, but his fear leads to a mistake that changes the entire future, including the language and government. ________________________________________ Foreshadowing The strict rules given by Travis and the warning that “even a small action could change the future” foreshadow the major change caused by stepping on the butterfly. ________________________________________ Symbolism / Motif 1. The Butterfly – Symbolizes the fragility of time and the massive consequences of small actions. 2. The Path – Represents order, control, and the “correct” course of time. 3. The Tyrannosaurus Rex – Symbolizes the uncontrollable power of nature and time. ________________________________________ Short Story Analysis Title: Dead Stars Author: Paz Marquez Benitez ________________________________________ Setting The story is set in the Philippines during the American colonial period, with scenes taking place in the city and the provinces—particularly in Manila and Esperanza’s hometown. The time frame reflects the social expectations and romantic ideals of the early 20th century. ________________________________________ Characters • Alfredo Salazar – The main character, a man torn between his long-time fiancée and a new, mysterious love. • Esperanza – Alfredo’s fiancée, practical and morally upright, representing tradition and duty. • Julia Salas – A young woman Alfredo meets and falls for while visiting a provincial town. She represents mystery and passion. ________________________________________ Theme • Illusion vs. Reality – The story explores how feelings can fade with time, and how love, once thought eternal, can become like "dead stars"—bright from afar, but long gone. • Social Expectations vs. Personal Desire – Alfredo is caught between following his heart and fulfilling his duty. • Regret and Lost Chances – The theme of what could have been lingers throughout the story. ________________________________________ Tone The tone is melancholic, reflective, and restrained, with the author carefully examining romantic feelings that are not fully acted upon. ________________________________________ Mood The mood is nostalgic and bittersweet, evoking the quiet sadness of missed opportunities and fading love. ________________________________________ Imagery • The dead stars themselves—seen in the sky long after they’re gone—serve as a metaphor. • The provincial scenery and quiet streets mirror the internal stillness and conflict Alfredo feels. • The subtle glances and restrained conversations reflect social norms of the time. ________________________________________ Point of View The story is told in third-person limited, focusing primarily on Alfredo’s thoughts and internal conflict. ________________________________________ Conflict • Person vs. Self: Alfredo struggles with his feelings and sense of obligation. • Person vs. Society: His decisions are influenced by societal norms and expectations about marriage. • Person vs. Time: Time changes everything—including what we feel. ________________________________________ Irony There is situational irony: Alfredo idealizes his love for Julia, but when he meets her again years later, he realizes those feelings were no longer real—just remnants of a dream. ________________________________________ Foreshadowing Alfredo’s hesitation and the fleeting nature of his meetings with Julia foreshadow the eventual fading of their connection. ________________________________________ Symbolism / Motif 1. Dead Stars – Symbolize lost love or illusions we continue to hold onto, even when they no longer exist. 2. Marriage – Represents societal duty and responsibility. 3. Silence and Distance – A motif reflecting emotional disconnection and repression. 📖 Short Story Analysis Title: My Father Goes to Court Author: Carlos Bulosan ________________________________________ Setting The story is set in a small rural town in the Philippines, during the American colonial period. Most of the events take place in the narrator’s neighborhood and a courtroom where a humorous trial unfolds. ________________________________________ Characters • Narrator (the young boy) – Tells the story with humor and admiration for his father. • Father – A jovial, humorous, and wise man who uses wit to defend his family. • Rich Neighbor – A wealthy man who accuses the narrator’s family of “stealing” the aroma of their food. • Judge and Lawyer – Represent the justice system in the story. ________________________________________ Theme • Social Inequality – The gap between the rich and the poor is highlighted through the neighbor’s absurd accusation. • Humor as Resistance – The father uses cleverness and laughter to overcome oppression. • Justice and Fairness – The story shows that justice is not always about rules—it’s also about common sense. • Family and Contentment – Despite poverty, the narrator’s family is happy, united, and full of life. ________________________________________ Tone The tone is humorous, lighthearted, and satirical. Though the topic involves poverty and injustice, the story presents it in a way that highlights human dignity and cleverness. ________________________________________ Mood The mood is playful and uplifting, even when the family is being accused. It invites laughter and admiration for the father’s wit. ________________________________________ Imagery • The scent of frying food from the rich neighbor’s house. • The joyful atmosphere of the narrator’s home, full of singing, laughter, and storytelling. • The courtroom scene where the father jingles coins to pay for the aroma. ________________________________________ Point of View The story is told in first-person point of view from the perspective of the young narrator. ________________________________________ Conflict • Person vs. Person – The poor family is accused by the rich neighbor. • Person vs. Society – Reflects the struggle of poor families against unjust systems or expectations. • Person vs. Absurdity – The absurdity of being sued over food aroma is at the core of the story’s satire. ________________________________________ Irony Situational irony: The neighbor sues them for enjoying the aroma of his food—but the father pays him by letting him hear the sound of money. This clever reversal exposes the foolishness of the complaint. ________________________________________ Foreshadowing The early descriptions of the family's cheerfulness and the father's cleverness prepare the reader for his witty courtroom strategy. ________________________________________ Symbolism / Motif 1. The Aroma of Food – Symbolizes how the poor can enjoy life even without material wealth. 2. Coins and Sound – Symbolize how justice can be served with wit and logic, not just money. 3. Laughter and Joy – A recurring motif symbolizing strength, dignity, and resilience in the face of poverty. Short Story Analysis 📘 Title: How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife ✍️ Author: Manuel E. Arguilla ________________________________________ Setting • The story takes place in Nagrebcan, a rural barrio in La Union, Philippines. • The events start on the road to the village and continue in the countryside at the family’s house. ________________________________________ Characters • Leon – The older brother who brings home his wife from the city. • Maria – Leon’s wife, a sophisticated city girl adjusting to rural life. • Baldo – The narrator and younger brother of Leon. • Father – The traditional, observant patriarch of the family. • Labang – The family’s bull used for traveling. ________________________________________ Theme • Love and Acceptance: Bridging differences in background through understanding and love. • Tradition vs. Modernity: The contrast between rural and urban values. • Family and Respect: Importance of familial approval in relationships. ________________________________________ Tone • Reflective, respectful, and descriptive. Arguilla carefully illustrates rural life with a sense of pride and calm admiration. ________________________________________ Mood • Warm, gentle, and hopeful. The reader may feel curious about Maria’s experience and relieved by the family's quiet acceptance. ________________________________________ Imagery • The rural setting: dusty roads, rice fields, sunset, and the sound of Labang’s hooves. • The tension and anticipation during Maria’s first meeting with the family. • The contrast between city sophistication and rural simplicity. ________________________________________ Point of View • First-person point of view, narrated by Baldo, Leon’s younger brother. ________________________________________ Conflict • Man vs. Society: Maria must adapt to provincial customs and win the family's approval. • Man vs. Self: Baldo observes and questions his brother’s choice and how Maria fits in. • Man vs. Nature: Maria’s journey from city to countryside tests her comfort and adjustment. ________________________________________ Irony (If any) • Maria, the city girl, surprisingly handles the provincial setting with grace, challenging assumptions about her being delicate or unfit for rural life. ________________________________________ Foreshadowing (Possible) • When Father instructs Baldo to take the unfamiliar route home, it hints at a test—to see how Maria reacts to the rural environment. ________________________________________ Symbolism / Motif 1. Labang (the bull) – Symbol of rural life and tradition. 2. The road/travel – A symbol of transition and change, both physically and emotionally. 3. The setting sun – Could represent the ending of one chapter and the beginning of a new life together. ________________________________________ Freytag’s Pyramid Plot Analysis ________________________________________ 1. Exposition: • Baldo awaits his brother Leon and meets Maria for the first time. • Readers are introduced to the rural setting and family. ________________________________________ 2. Rising Action: • Baldo brings the couple home through the Waig (river) road, the longer, less-traveled path. • Maria is polite and cheerful despite the unfamiliar environment. • Baldo silently observes her reactions and manners. ________________________________________ 3. Climax: • Maria finally meets Father. The moment is tense but important as family approval is vital. ________________________________________ 4. Falling Action: • Father questions Baldo privately about Maria’s behavior during the journey. ________________________________________ 5. Resolution / Denouement: • Baldo’s answers seem to satisfy Father, implying Maria is accepted into the family. ________________________________________ Short Story Analysis TITLE: My Father Goes to Court Author: Carlos Bulosan Setting The story takes place in a Filipino town during the narrator’s childhood. Key locations include their home, the rich neighbor’s house, and the courtroom. Characters Narrator – A young boy recalling a childhood memory. Father – Cheerful, witty, and humorous. Mother – Kind and supportive. Siblings – Joyful and energetic. Rich Neighbor – A wealthy but sad and sickly man. Judge and Lawyer – Represent the court system. Theme Social inequality and justice. The contrast between joy in poverty and sorrow in wealth. Humor and cleverness in dealing with adversity. Tone The author’s tone is humorous, satirical, and light-hearted, with an underlying critique of social class differences. Mood As a reader, the story feels entertaining, witty, and even empowering, especially during the courtroom scene. Imagery The smell of fried fish, boiled vegetables, and delicious soup wafting through the windows. Children laughing and playing outside. A tin can full of jingling coins being shaken in court. Point of View First-person point of view – narrated by one of the children. Conflict External Conflict: Man vs. Man: The father vs. the rich man who files the complaint. Man vs. Society: The poor family being judged by societal norms. Internal Conflict: The rich man’s inner emptiness despite his wealth. Irony The rich man sues for the smell of food—ironically, the father “pays” using the sound of coins, showing how absurd the accusation is. Foreshadowing The rich man getting thinner despite cooking large meals hints at his bitterness and eventual complaint. Symbolism / Motif Aroma of food – Symbolizes longing and poverty. Coins in a tin can – Symbolizes wit and justice. Laughter of the family – Symbolizes joy in simplicity. 📊 Freytag’s Pyramid Analysis Exposition A poor but happy family lives next to a rich, quiet family. They often smell the neighbor’s food but cannot afford any. Rising Action The rich man becomes thin and sickly. He files a legal complaint accusing the poor family of stealing the spirit of his food. Climax In court, the father defends the family by shaking a tin can of coins to “pay” for the food’s aroma. Falling Action Everyone in the courtroom laughs at the father’s witty response. Resolution / Denouement The judge dismisses the case, and the story ends with laughter and justice served. 📌 Prepared by: Sir Nel 📘 Short Story Analysis Title: The Small Key Author: Paz Latorena Setting A rural farm in the Philippines, early 1900s. Set mostly in the home of the couple, particularly the bedroom and the drawer which holds the small key. Characters Pedro Buhay – A hardworking farmer, quiet, conservative, and secretive. Soledad (Soling) – His young, dutiful wife who becomes curious about her husband's past. Theme Trust and Privacy in Marriage The Burden of the Past Curiosity and Consequences Tone Subtle and serious, with undertones of tension and restraint. The author explores emotional distance and quiet suffering. Mood Suspenseful, melancholic, and contemplative. As a reader, you feel the quiet tension between the couple and Soledad's inner struggle. Imagery The locked drawer and the small key The dusty, warm interior of a rural home Soledad’s emotional conflict and eventual reaction upon opening the drawer Point of View Third-person limited, focused mostly on Soledad's thoughts and experiences Conflict Internal (Soledad vs. Herself) – Her curiosity battles her desire to trust her husband. Interpersonal (Soledad vs. Pedro) – The tension from Pedro hiding something from her. Symbolic (Wife vs. Husband's Past) – Represented by the small key and the drawer. Irony The small key seems insignificant, but it opens the door to a painful truth. Pedro gives Soledad the key after she shows she doesn’t want it, possibly to test her trust. Foreshadowing Pedro’s secretive behavior and protectiveness over the key hint at something emotionally heavy or shameful. His statement that “she doesn’t need to know” implies a hidden past. Symbolism / Motif The Small Key – Symbol of hidden truths, past relationships, and emotional barriers. The Locked Drawer – Represents secrecy and marital boundaries. Soledad’s Reaction (Burning clothes) – Symbol of pain, betrayal, and possibly liberation. 📚 Freytag’s Pyramid Plot Analysis 1. Exposition Introduction to Pedro and Soledad, a married couple living on a farm. Pedro prepares to leave for work and entrusts his wife with household matters. 2. Rising Action Soledad is curious about the key and the locked drawer Pedro keeps. She battles internally with her desire to open the drawer. 3. Climax Soledad opens the drawer using the key and discovers Pedro's dead wife’s clothes, carefully preserved. 4. Falling Action Soledad’s shock and deep emotional reaction She burns the clothes in a fit of betrayal and sorrow. 5. Resolution / Denouement Pedro returns home to see the burned clothes. No words are exchanged, but the emotional distance between them becomes clearer. 📝 Prepared by: Sir Nel 📘 Short Story Analysis Title: Magnificence Author: Estrella D. Alfon Setting A Filipino household in a modest, middle-class neighborhood Primarily takes place inside the home, especially in the living room and stairs Characters The Mother – Protective, calm, dignified, and powerful figure The Father – Present but more passive in this story The Girl (Narrator) – A young girl, innocent and trusting The Boy (Younger Sibling) – Innocent child The Man (Tutor) – The antagonist; a predator pretending to be a friendly tutor Theme Empowerment and Protection Predatory behavior and abuse of trust Maternal strength and dignity The difference between appearance and reality Tone Calm and subtle at first, then shifts to tense and disturbing, before ending with assurance and quiet strength The author's tone is measured but impactful, using soft language to reveal deep emotional and moral truths. Mood The story creates an initial mood of comfort and routine, which turns into suspicion, fear, and finally relief and admiration. As a reader, you may feel disturbed, anxious, then empowered by the mother’s response. Imagery The brightness of the room with the lamp’s glow The uncomfortable closeness of the man The image of the mother at the top of the stairs—commanding and magnificent Point of View First-person, narrated by the young girl, providing an innocent but emotionally revealing perspective Conflict Man vs. Innocence: The man takes advantage of the children's trust. Woman vs. Injustice: The mother acts swiftly and decisively against the wrong. Internal Conflict: The young girl’s realization of betrayal and confusion. Irony The man pretends to be kind and helpful but is actually a predator. The title "Magnificence" appears to contrast with the ugliness of his actions but ultimately refers to the mother’s powerful intervention. Foreshadowing Early signs of the man being too familiar or physically close to the girl suggest something is off. His insistence on tutoring and being overly helpful builds a sense of danger. Symbolism / Motif The Lamp – Symbol of safety, warmth, and maternal vigilance The Stairs – Symbol of moral authority and power (especially when the mother stands on it) The Mother’s Actions – Symbol of righteous strength, quiet yet resolute justice 📚 Freytag’s Pyramid Plot Analysis 1. Exposition The man is introduced as a family acquaintance who offers to tutor the children. The atmosphere is warm and trusting; the children enjoy his attention. 2. Rising Action The man grows more physically familiar with the girl. He begins to touch her inappropriately, and tension builds. The girl senses something is wrong but is unsure. 3. Climax One evening, the mother catches the man in the act or senses the danger. Her commanding presence fills the room; she confronts him without screaming, with cold fury. 4. Falling Action The man leaves in shame or fear, knowing he has been found out. The children are confused but feel protected. 5. Resolution / Denouement The mother, without needing violence or loud words, restores safety. The girl sees her mother as "magnificent", a protector full of grace and strength. 📝 Prepared by: Sir Nel