Ririro.com - Short Stories

A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas draws readers into a boy's snow-blurred memories of Christmas in a Welsh seaside town, where no two holidays can be separated and all of them shimmer together like one long, glittering afternoon. Firemen pour into the Protheros' smoke-filled parlour, useless presents are catalogued with gleeful absurdity, uncles doze by the fire, and carol singers flee...

"The Dead" by James Joyce follows Gabriel Conroy through a warmly lit Christmas party at his aunts' Dublin home — a night of dancing, toasts, old songs, and gentle social friction — before a single piece of music overheard on a staircase unravels everything. When Gabriel and his wife Gretta retire to their hotel room, he discovers that she has been quietly grieving a boy named Michael Furey, who d...

A Christmas Memory is a short story narrated by seven-year-old Buddy, who shares an unlikely and deeply tender friendship with his elderly distant cousin. Each November, she declares it "fruitcake weather," and the two set off on their beloved ritual: gathering pecans, scraping together pennies, and baking thirty cakes for near-strangers who have captured their hearts. Capote renders their bond wi...

Charles Dickens’s "The Signal-Man" tells of a chance encounter between a rational narrator and a solitary railway signalman who is haunted by a mysterious apparition that cries “Halloa! Below there!” and makes a frantic gesture by the red danger-light; the spectre’s appearances precede two real tragedies on the line—a crash and the instantaneous death of a young woman—so that the man, conscientiou...

This reflective essay meditates on how Christmas, once the narrow, perfect center of youthful imaginings, becomes for adults a larger, more compassionate celebration that embraces unfulfilled dreams, bygone loves, reconciled enemies, and even the dead; the narrator traces youthful "visionary" Christmases of imagined marriages and triumphs, acknowledges the pain of what never was, rejects despair a...

Set in Rome, Politian is a dramatic tale of passion, betrayal, and revenge. Alessandra is betrothed to Count Castiglione, who appears emotionally distant and tormented. Meanwhile, Lalage, a woman scorned and ruined by Castiglione, is consumed by sorrow and social disgrace. As her despair deepens, she contemplates revenge and finds an ally in the brooding English nobleman, Earl Politian. Haunted by...

The text is a detailed letter critical of contemporary poets and critiques surrounding poetry, focusing on themes like the value of audience opinion, authenticity in criticism, and the true purpose of poetry. It highlights the struggle of American writers against the established European literary tradition and debates the validity of self-assessment by poets themselves. The author expresses skepti...

The discussed text is a critique of old English poetry, emphasizing how much of its appreciation arises from the antique nature rather than intrinsic poetic quality. It points out the misinterpretation of metaphysical poetry, highlighting that some poets prioritized moral teaching through artifice, unlike others who infused poetic sentiment through natural channels. The critique assesses an anthol...

The narrative satirically chronicles the ambition and rise of Thingum Bob, who aspires to the literary world after being inspired by an impromptu poem while working in his father’s barber shop. Thingum's journey involves attempting to publish pilfered verses under a pseudonym, facing harsh criticism and ridicule from various magazines, and finally composing an original poem that receives favorable...

This story is a humorous tale of a young man's attempt to win the approval of his stubborn and eccentric grand-uncle Rumgudgeon for his marriage to Kate. The grand-uncle, known for his contradictory nature and fondness for the literal interpretation of conditions, agrees to the marriage only when three Sundays come together in a week. The clever young couple, with the help of two naval acquaintanc...

In The Spectacles, Edgar Allan Poe spins a farcical tale of romantic folly in which a vain young man, refusing to wear glasses despite poor eyesight, falls instantly in love with a beautiful widow glimpsed at the opera. Determined to win her without delay, he pursues her with passionate letters and an impetuous proposal, only to discover—after their supposed wedding—that she is in fact his own gre...

This text is a dark and surreal tale following two seamen, Legs and Hugh Tarpaulin, during their escapades in plague-ridden London. In a drunken stupor, the duo ventures into forbidden areas marked by the pestilence and ultimately stumbles into a macabre gathering led by King Pest and his peculiar court. The setting is bizarre, featuring characters adorned in funeral attire, seated around a table...

The story is about the narrator's encounter with Mr. Augustus Bedloe, a young man of mysterious origins and peculiar physical traits, who becomes the subject of fascination and curiosity. Bedloe, who is under the care of Dr. Templeton, a physician practiced in magnetic remedies, is subject to neuralgic attacks and uses morphine habitually. During one of his solitary excursions into the Ragged Moun...

The story discusses the essence of poetry and the 'Poetic Principle,' emphasizing that true poetry elevates the soul through beauty and emotional resonance, rather than through length or didactic purposes. It challenges the notion that longer poems hold more merit and criticizes the perspective that poetry should convey morals or truths. Instead, poetry is celebrated as an art form dedicated to th...

The narrative unfolds with the protagonist being invited by Doctor Ponnonner to witness the examination of an ancient Egyptian mummy, which they find remarkably well-preserved. After a hearty supper that induces sleepiness, the protagonist receives a note that prompts immediate action. During the examination, they decide to apply electricity to the mummy, resulting in a surprising revival of the a...

The narrative revolves around Pierre Bon-Bon, a French restaurateur and self-proclaimed philosopher, whose life takes an unexpected turn on a stormy night. Known for his culinary skills as well as his philosophical musings, Bon-Bon embodies a blend of the gastronomical and the intellectual. The story takes a whimsical twist when Bon-Bon encounters the Devil, who appears intrigued by Bon-Bon's pers...

The story revolves around Sir Patrick O'Grandison, a flamboyant and self-assured character who arrives in London, making quite the impression on his neighbor, the widow Mrs. Tracle. His narrative is filled with confident declarations, and he considers himself the epitome of charm and sophistication. As Sir Patrick attempts to court Mrs. Tracle, he encounters his rival, a diminutive Frenchman refer...

The narrative revolves around the mysterious disappearance and presumed murder of Mr. Barnabas Shuttleworthy, a respected and wealthy citizen of Rattleborough. His bosom friend, Charley Goodfellow, leads the search for Shuttleworthy and cleverly incriminates the nephew, Pennifeather, who stands to inherit his uncle's wealth. Through various planted evidence and Goodfellow's manipulations, Pennifea...

The narrative revolves around an unnamed protagonist who observes the bustling streets of London from a coffee-house window, becoming particularly fixated on a strange, decrepit old man with a unique and captivating expression. With curiosity piqued by the mysterious aura of the old man, the protagonist decides to follow him through the crowded and diverse districts of the city. The journey unfold...

The narrative revolves around a king known for his penchant for cruel jokes and his court jester, Hop-Frog, who is a dwarf and a cripple. Hop-Frog, despite his physical challenges, is intelligent and capable, utilizing his creativity in service to the king's court, especially during events like masquerades. After enduring mockery and having his friend Trippetta humiliated by the king, Hop-Frog dev...

The story explores the theme of perception and the power of superstition during a time of crisis, set against the backdrop of a cholera epidemic in New York. A man, staying with a relative at a cottage by the Hudson River, becomes consumed by fear and paranoia, believing he has witnessed an ominous sign in the form of a monstrous, fantastical creature. This creature appears to him as a terrifying,...

This story follows a group of three Gizbarim, or sub-collectors of offerings, named Simeon, Abel-Phittim, and Buzi-Ben-Levi, who are in the holy city of Jerusalem during the siege by Roman general Pompey. They engage in a transaction with the besieging Romans, involving the exchange of silver shekels for sacrificial lambs expected for the altar rituals of their faith. As they make their way to the...

The narrative explores the nuances of interior decoration and critiques the varying tastes and philosophies across different cultures. It highlights how decor reflects societal values, noting the English preference for balanced aesthetics, while contrasting with the American proclivity for ostentatious displays of wealth driven by a lack of aristocratic tradition. The text scrutinizes the misuse o...

This narrative is about an educated and contemplative traveler who becomes estranged from his family and country, setting off on a sea voyage that soon turns into a harrowing adventure. Departing from Batavia, he encounters a violent storm that leaves him and an old Swede as the sole survivors on a ship devastated by the tempest. They are sucked into a monstrous whirlpool and, against all odds, fi...

This story revolves around a man whose profound and inexplicable bond with his wife, Morella, becomes a study in both love and dread. Morella is deeply invested in mystical and philosophical studies, particularly those concerning personal identity and existential themes, which she passionately shares with her husband. Over time, the husband's infatuation turns to horror as Morella's enigmatic natu...