Below you will find the short stories you may choose from for your Literary Perspectives paper(s).  Included with each are some suggestions for how the various perspectives might be applied.  Remember that these are only suggestions.

 

The Lie – the pressure to succeed  gets the best of everyone in this family

 

Lacanian psychology – Examine your response to the story and the way it’s written.

Freudian psychology -- Think he had some issues with parents?

Feminist -- Look critically and carefully at the mom’s role.

Cultural -- I bet you can identify with this family!

Historical – This story comes from a distinct time in our history, with its own values and beliefs.

Deconstruction -- Whenever truth is in question, you’ve got a shot at this one.

 

Thank You Ma’mone bad deed deserves a good one

 

Lacanian psychology -- How did you respond to the characters’ actions? the way they interacted?

Freudian psychology -- Why did the author write this? Explain it.

Feminist -- What do you think of the lady’s role in this story/society?

Cultural -- We are definitely outsiders with this story!

Historical -- Take a look at when this story was written.

Deconstruction -- Are you sure the theme is really that positive? Do you sense desperation? Hopelessness?

 

Marigolds – how do we learn to understand and master our human cruelty?

 

Lacanian psychology – Look at the language permeating this emotional work: how do you respond to it? It’s intense.

Freudian psychology -- This author clearly has some things to work out – or maybe she just did!

Feminist -- There’s a lot going here with female roles and attitudes – more than you might think.

Cultural -- Once again, we are outsiders in a big way here.

Historical -- another story with a unique historical context . . .

Deconstruction -- There’s enough evidence here to make us wonder!

 

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – a delightful tale of daydreaming by our city’s most famous author

 

Lacanian psychology -- I know some of you identify with this story, especially in its language and vividness.

Freudian psychology -- Daydreamer?  Full of regrets?  Hen-pecked?

Feminist -- That relationship is clearly wrought with stereotypes.

Cultural – Once again, this can be a remote culture to us – at least some of us.

Historical – yet another story with a unique historical context…

Deconstruction -- I see all kinds of interpretations in this one!  This would be fun.

 


The Most Dangerous Game – incredible adventure with a few twists and plenty to think about

 

Lacanian psychology -- Most people respond strongly to this one. Explain your reaction.

Freudian psychology – With this level of fear, we might suspect something behind the author’s mask.

Feminist -- How bout‘ a girl‘s take on these big hunter guys?  This one screams for a female point of view.

Cultural – In a way, we are outsiders here, but in another, we are front and center.  Where would you put yourself?

Historical -- Could there be something to when this was written? It’s certainly loaded with politics – and stereotypes.

Deconstruction -- Try reading this as a satire.

 

The Cask of Amontillado – it’s Poe; enough said

 

Lacanian psychology – Where might you stand in relation to our two main characters?

Freudian psychology – Whether it’s Freud or his main character, you can have all sorts of fun with this one.

Feminist – Guy bent on revenge, a nasty one too – how might a female relate to this story?

Cultural – An world of honor and aristocracy – a bit different than our own.

Historical – Much like cultural – a code of honor and a class system in place.

Deconstruction – Not sure about this one yet, but we’re working on it.

 

The Scarlet Ibis – simply put, this story is a incredibly beautiful  work of art

 

Lacanian psychology – This one is guaranteed to get a strong emotional response out of you.

Freudian psychology – This would make a fascinating study, both of the author and our main character.

Feminist – An obvious choice – nurturing and resentment.

Cultural – Not sure about this one; the culture seems pretty familiar.

Historical – Same as cultural above; still, it is a little different than our own.

Deconstruction – Plenty in this story can go either way.