‘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
‘The Boss Came to Dinner’ by Bhisham Sahni: Short Story Analysis
‘The Boss Came to Dinner by Indian Hindi writer Bhisham Sahni is a realistic short story about how an executive son uses his illiterate elderly village mother to please his American boss. Eastern Indian values and Western values are highlighted in the story as well as the social issue of ill-treatment of the elderly by modern-day westernized Indian sons. For his own worldly … [Read more...] about ‘The Boss Came to Dinner’ by Bhisham Sahni: Short Story Analysis
‘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