Short stories are able to capture readers’ attention in an instant by telling powerful stories succinctly and precisely.
A short story is a focused narrative centred around a single event, character, or idea, with a straightforward plot and character development. It often features a twist ending or epiphany, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. Characters are explored quickly and impactful, with concise descriptions and dialogue. Some stories may use flashbacks or non-linear techniques to enhance the narrative.
Because of their themes, styles, and universal messages, a number of well-known short stories have made a lasting impact on literature and culture. These stories have even gone on to become iconic.
Here are some of the most well-known short stories, along with the explanations for their recognition.
1. “The Blue Umbrella” by Ruskin Bond (1980)
One of the most liked writers in India is Ruskin Bond, who is renowned for his tales that beautifully and simply depict India. In the endearing story “The Blue Umbrella”, a young girl named Binya becomes the talk of her village after obtaining a stunning blue umbrella. The narrative is praised for its portrayal of kindness and innocence as well as the moral lessons it teaches about generosity and contentment. Due to its success, Vishal Bhardwaj made a film adaptation of it.
2. “A Horse and Two Goats” by R.K. Narayan (1960)
“A Horse and Two Goats” by another well-known short story writer, R.K. Narayan, satirically portrays the linguistic and cultural misunderstandings between a wealthy American tourist and a destitute Indian villager. The narrative is frequently complimented for its humor and the nuanced way it handles themes of cultural collision and the glaring differences between other worlds. Like a lot of Narayan’s writing, this story conveys the tender irony and affection he felt for his characters.
3. “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant (1884)
One of the well-known short stories in French literature, “The Necklace”, is renowned for its moral lesson and sardonic twist conclusion. The narrative centers on Madame Loisel, a woman who borrows a necklace to look wealthy at a ball, loses it, and has to live in poverty for years before realizing it was a fake. This tale has become a literary classic in classrooms all over the world because of Maupassant’s insightful storytelling and his criticism of materialism, vanity, and the class system.
4. “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka (1915)
Because of its impact and brief length, Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”, despite being regarded as a novella, is often discussed in the context of short stories. The bizarre premise of the story—Gregor Samsa, a travelling salesman, wakes up one morning to discover that he has changed into a gigantic insect—is what makes it so famous. “The Metamorphosis” is considered a foundational work of existential literature due to Kafka’s examination of alienation, identity, and the absurdity of life. The tale has had a huge impact on contemporary literature and has been the subject of innumerable interpretations and adaptations.
5. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1892)
“The Yellow Wallpaper” is acclaimed for its potent indictment of how women’s mental health was handled in the 1800s. The narrative is told through the journal entries of a woman whose husband has kept her confined to a room while she gets treatment for a “nervous condition”. As the narrative goes on, the narrator loses consciousness and becomes fixated on the room’s wallpaper. Gilman’s account is a foundational piece of feminist literature that emphasizes the larger problem of women’s autonomy as well as the oppressive nature of the medical care given to women at the time.