Short Story Blog by Andrew Olembe

  “Young Goodman Brown”– Nathaniel Hawthorne   Summary Young Goodman Brown tells the story of a young Puritan man who ventures into the forest and encounters a series of shocking revelations about the evil nature of his community and the people he once trusted. Along the way, he meets the Devil and witnesses a satanic ritual, which causes him to lose his faith in both God and humanity. He returns to Salem a changed man, filled with despair and distrust, ultimately dying in a state of spiritual and emotional isolation.   Characters: Young Goodman Brown Faith The Old Man Goody Cloyse Deacon Gookin   Plot Elements: Exposition – The events take place in Salem Village, where Young Goodman Brown says goodbye to his wife, Faith, before heading into the forest. He assures her that he will not be gone long, but Faith remains apprehensive, sensing evil in the air. Goodman Brown comforts her, but his trip into darkness diminishes the light of his mund...

  “The Ransom of Red Chief” – O. Henry   Summary Two kidnappers, Sam and Bill, have captured a mischievous boy named Johnny with the hope of demanding ransom from his wealthy father. Red Chief, as Johnny prefers to call himself, ends up being too much for the two, causing entire havoc as he tortures his captors. The twist in the story shows how the two that had initially intended to do an abduction end up paying the boy's father a considerable amount of money just to take him back.   Characters: Sam (One of the kidnapper) Bill Discroll (The partner of Sam in his crime) Johnny Dorset (The kidnapped boy) Ebenezer (Johnny’s father)   Plot Elements: Exposition – The exposition starts with two small criminals who were Sam, and Bill they arrived in Alabama, so they can get money easily by kidnapping man’s son and then asking for big ransom.   Rising Action – The rising action was when Sam and Bill kidnapped Johnny and ask for a big ransom...

  “The Monkey’s Paw” – Washington Irving   Summary In “The Monkey's Paw” , a family would be given a monkey's paw that is quite cursed and is going to grant them three wishes. Despite warning from a visitor called Sgt. Major Morris, the Whites used their first wish to wish for money, which came later with the death of their son Herbert in a workplace accident. An emotional Mrs. White urged her husband to use the paw to wish Herbert back to life. When they hear a knock at the door, they think Herbert is coming back, but Mr. White, fearing the backlash, makes a final wish. The story's last unfortunate event contains the ending dialect of the knocking at the door, making the readers question what actually happened.   Characters: Mr. White Mrs. White Herbert White Sgt. Major Morris   Plot Elements: Exposition – There is a White family living in a very small house in England. As usual, Mr. White and his son Herbert are midway in a chess game, wit...

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” – Washington Irving   Summary This is a narration whereby that character, Ichabod Crane, a superstitious school teacher, moves to the village of Sleepy Hollow where he finds himself in love with a farm owner's daughter, Katrina Van Tassel. The love of Ichabod for Katrina is rivaled by his rival; that is, Brom Bones, a local man who also wants her. After a party, Ichabod comes across the ghostly Headless Horseman who is said to chase him through the woods, and suddenly, he disappears. While the townspeople speculate about the cause of his disappearance, Brom Bones seems to take delight in the mystery. This story works romance, superstition, and mystery together into an eerie ending that leaves the question of Ichabod's fate open for interpretation.   Characters: Ichabod Crane Katrina Van Tassel Brom Bones The Headless Horseman The Van Tassel Family   Plot Elements: Exposition – The setting is the village of Sleepy Ho...

“Seventh Grade” – Gary Soto   Summary Victor is a nervous boy who crush on a girl and take risk while he has difficulty in languages and takes books to learn well understand the language. Teresa said she will help him to succeed.   Characters: Victor Teresa Michael Torres Mr. Bueller   Plot Elements: Exposition – Victor came in grade seven class he was very nervous and he had a crush on a girl called Teresa. He even chose the French course just to impress girls, while he did not how to speak the language.   Rising Action – Victor starts asking details to his friend Michael just to impress even in French why he cannot say a word.   Climax – The climax happens when one time in class he stands up just to show off to speak in class and then he gets embarrass in front of the whole class and get disappointed.   Resolution – The resolution occurs when Teresa smiled to victor and tell him that she can help him to learn the la...

  “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” – Rudyard Kipling   Summary Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is the story of a young mongoose who gets adopted by a British family after he is rescued from a flood. It is found out that two cobras, Nag and Nagaina, are plotting murder to the family and rule over the garden. Rikki-Tikki fights the cobras bravely, finally slaying Nag followed by killing Nagaina in a fight to the death. After that, safety is ensured for the family, and Rikki-Tikki continues to be the keeper of the garden.   Characters: Rikki Teddy Teddy’s Parents Nag Nagaina Darzee Chuchundra   Plot Elements: Exposition – The first part of the story deals with floods carrying Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, a young mongoose, into a British family garden in India. The family adopts him and quickly Rikki gets adjusted to his new first environment. The exposition introduces setting and major characters as to the peace that Rikki begins to enjoy in this environment unaware of the evil ...

  “All Summer in a Day” – Ray Bradbury   Summary On Venus, an ever-rainy planet, Margot, a girl who remembers the sun from Earth, is shunned by her classmates-who have never seen the sun. When the sun shines for the first time in seven years, the children, in disbelief and jealousy, lock Margot in a closet. After they enjoy their temporary view of the sun, they realize how terrible their actions were; but for Margot, it is too late-the moment she had so desperately wanted to see was lost.   Characters: Margot William The teacher The other children   Plot Elements: Exposition – The exposition of this story includes a girl called Margot. She is quiet, attentive and different from her classmates. She had various memories of the sun, because before coming to Venus she was on the earth and this are the several reason why she is different from other children because her memories.   Rising Action – All Summer Day begins with the children o...