The Short-story

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21964

Title

The Short-story

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This educational text explores the evolution of the short story, defining its core elements of unity, compression, and originality. Featuring works by Irving, Poe, Hawthorne, and Kipling, it offers a scholarly analysis of narrative techniques, local color, and psychological depth, serving as a comprehensive guide for students and literary enthusiasts.

Summary up to 500 words

The Short-story serves as a definitive guide to the evolution of the genre from ancient oral traditions to the refined American form of the late nineteenth century. The text establishes that the short story is a narrative defined by unity of effect, compression, originality, and ingenuity. Edgar Allan Poe is credited with formalizing these principles, arguing that every word must contribute to a preconceived emotional impact. The narrative traces the genre's maturation through Washington Irving, who introduced humor and grace in works like *Rip Van Winkle*; Nathaniel Hawthorne, who explored moral introspection and symbolic situations such as the fatal flaw in *The Birthmark*; and Bret Harte, who pioneered local color to depict specific regional settings like California during the gold rush. The text further examines the shift toward psychological analysis and humor in the works of Mark Twain and Henry James, alongside the romantic adventures found in Robert Louis Stevenson's tales. Rudyard Kipling is highlighted for his versatility, ranging from soldier tales to analyses of the human mind, while infusing the genre with new local color from India. The book investigates various narrative forms, including epistolary styles and conundrums like *The Lady or the Tiger!*, before presenting full texts of representative stories. Throughout, the author provides critical commentary on how these writers balanced technical excellence with enduring human themes, making this an invaluable resource for understanding the mechanics and history of the short story. The volume emphasizes that the short story is a new species of narrative distinct from merely short stories, requiring a single narrative effect achieved with the greatest economy of means. It highlights how American literature claimed this new species by moving away from didactic treatises and sentimental romances toward stories showing freshness, grace, and restraint. The development culminates in a mature form identified with American literature, exhibiting the foremost traits of the American character and written by authors of high technical excellence.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Short Stories