‘There was a Man Dwelt by a Churchyard’ was published in 1924 in the Eton newsletter ‘Snapdragon’ by classic British writer M. R. James. It is one of James’ shortest stories and is based on the Shakespearean play ‘The Winter’s Tale’. The beginning lines of the short story are taken directly from the play from Act 2: Scene 1, 25-31, where the innocent young boy Prince Mamilius … [Read more...] about ‘There was a Man Dwelt by a Churchyard’ by M. R. James: Short Story Analysis
Fiza Pathan
‘The Diary of Mr Poynter’ by M.R. James: Short Story Analysis
‘The Diary of Mr Poynter’ was published in the year 1919 in the collection titled ‘The Thin Ghost and Others’ by M.R. James. James is considered one of the greatest 19th-century ghost story writers of all time. He was an antiquarian as well as a scholar. He led a very active academic life and also had a fascination for the macabre. ‘The Diary of Mr Poynter’ is typical of James' … [Read more...] about ‘The Diary of Mr Poynter’ by M.R. James: Short Story Analysis
‘The Letter’ by Dhumketu: Short Story Analysis
'The Letter’ has been translated from the original by well-known Gujarati short story writer Dhumketu whose real name was Gowrishankar Govardhanram. This story is a cyclic tale of the pain of separation suffered by all parents or fathers for their children. Coachman Ali goes through this anxiety when his only child Miriam leaves him to settle down with a soldier. Only then does … [Read more...] about ‘The Letter’ by Dhumketu: Short Story Analysis
‘Grandmother’s Tale’ by R.K. Narayan: Summary
‘Grandmother’s Tale’ was published in 1992 by the Grand Old Man of Malgudi, R.K. Narayan. ‘Grandmother’s Tale’ is part biography and part fictional account of the life of R.K. Narayan’s maternal great-grandmother, who had a rather extraordinary life compared to the other women matriarchs in Narayan’s family. Single-handedly, Bala, the great-grandmother in question, managed to … [Read more...] about ‘Grandmother’s Tale’ by R.K. Narayan: Summary
‘Mr. Sampath’ by R.K. Narayan: Book Analysis
‘Mr. Sampath’ is a subtle satire on many idiosyncrasies of mid-20th century India. The novel is based in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi, where R.K. Narayan centers most of his novels and other shorter fiction. The three main institutions of the newly Independent India that R.K. Narayan ridicules are the free press, the film industry, especially in South India, and … [Read more...] about ‘Mr. Sampath’ by R.K. Narayan: Book Analysis