Short Story Blog

  “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne Summary There is a boy named Goodman Brown in the tale who one evening departs from his wife, Faith, to venture into the woods. Goodman Brown, being in the woods, is surrounded by numerous townspeople who are righteous partaking in a ritual which is devilish. Having been terrorized, Goodman Brown returns to town and loses faith in man as a whole. Characters Young Goodman Brown: A young, devout man who embarks on a journey into the forest that challenges his faith and religion. Faith: Goodman Brown's wife, whose name is representative of his religious faith, and who represents innocence. Goody Cloyse: An older, pious woman in the town who is found to be a witch during Goodman Brown's journey. Deacon Gookin: A high-ranking church member who is also found to be a party to evil, sinful deeds. The Minister: The church minister who appears to be a devout man, but who is then revealed to be part of the devil's party. ...

  “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving Summary This story is about a man called Ichabod Crane and his wish to be the suitor of the wealthy girl Katrina Van Tassel. The story is ghost and links to supernatural. Ichabod come to be the schoolmaster of the entire village. Characters Ichabod Crane : A schoolteacher from Connecticut, he is lanky, superstitious, and has a romantic interest in Katrina Van Tassel. Brom Bones : A bold and boisterous local man who competes with Ichabod for Katrina's affections and is known for his strength and pranks. Katrina Van Tassel : The charming and wealthy young woman whom both Ichabod and Brom Bones desire to marry. Plot Elements Exposition- Ichabod Crane is the head of the school in the story, a town where supernatural occurs. Rising Action- It is when Ichabod and Brom Bones are both invited to the party. Climax- Ichabod Crane leaves Katrina Van Tassel's home in disaster, because he has been rejected as suitor. ...

  “On the Gull’s Road” by Willa Cather Summary “On the Gull's Road” (1908) by Willa Cather is a moving account of unrequited love with Alexandra Deppling on a ship from Genoa to New York City, her irresistible beauty despite illness and a dandy of a husband. Characters Alexandra Ebbling- has a splendid, vigorous body, with red-gold hair drenched with sunlight. Lars Ebbling- an unrefined character to his wife's more delicate nature The narrator- An ambitious, kind painter who takes an interest in the ill Alexandra Ebbling. Mrs. Hemway- A helper of the narrator Carin Ebbling- The energetic daughter of Alexandra and Lars Ebbling Niels Nannestad- The father of Alexandra Ebbling   Plot Elements Exposition – The narrator meets another painter who asks him about his painting of Alexandra Ebbling. Rising Action – The narrator meets Alexandra on a ship going to New York City. They speak to each other while they watch the ocean. The narrator then paints a port...

  “The Ransom of Red Chief” by O.Henry   Summary This story is about a kidnapped young boy called Johnny. The men who kidnapped him were thinking they will use him to have easily money. They were not right. The main conflict in the story is the fact that he scared his kidnappers. Characters Sam : One of the two kidnappers, he is the more sensible and cautious of the duo. Johnny : The mischievous and energetic young boy who is kidnapped, but instead of being scared, he enjoys causing trouble for the kidnappers. Bill Driscoll : Sam's partner in crime, he becomes frustrated and overwhelmed by Johnny's antics. Ebenezer Dorset: Johnny's father, who is indifferent to the ransom and later demands the kidnappers pay him to take Johnny back. Plot Elements Exposition - Bill and Sam are grown men that did not go to school. They were planning to kidnap a kid to get money and open a business and choose the son of Ebenezer Dorset. Rising Action- Sam and Bill kidnap ...

  “Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto Summary A seventh grader boy’s crush and his plans to get her attention are what this story is about. Victor is the main character and his friend Michael talks about girls and how to get their attention. Teresa is the girl that fills Victor’s head. Characters Victor : A shy, nervous student who struggles with his French class and is determined to impress Teresa. Teresa : A smart and kind girl who Victor has a crush on and admires from afar. Michael : Victor's best friend who provides support but also teases him about his awkward attempts to win Teresa's attention. Mr. Bueller : The teacher who helps Victor with his French lesson, and unknowingly boosts his confidence. Plot Elements Exposition- Victor is nervous but excited because he is beginning Grade 7. He is also interested in Teresa which explains his next actions. Rising Action- All day, Victor wants to see his crush, Teresa. Climax- Victor wants to impress Teresa but he ...

  “Rikki- Kippling”- Tavi by Rudyard Kipling Summary Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is a tale by Rudyard Kipling and discusses the adventures of a brave mongoose named Rikki-Tikki, who is visiting a family in India. When the family is in danger due to two menacing cobras named Nag and Nagaina, Rikki-Tikki rescues them. Rikki-Tikki bravely and intelligently repels the snakes and ultimately defeats them. The tale describes how Rikki-Tikki becomes a hero by rescuing the family.   Characters Rikki-Tikki: A brave and clever mongoose who protects the family from the cobras. Darzee: A finicky and talkative tailorbird who helps Rikki-Tikki fight the snakes. Darzee's wife: A cooperative but quieter bird who helps Rikki-Tikki in her own way. Nag: A large and threatening cobra who wants to kill the family and take their home. Nagaina: Nag's wife, also menacing and hell-bent on protecting her eggs and taking revenge on the family. Chuchundra: A nervous and fidgety muskrat who is ti...

  “All Summer Day” by Bradbury Summary “All Summer Day” by Ray Bradbury is a short story about a group of children on Venus, where it rains every day. The story revolves around Margot, a girl who remembers the sun on Earth and wishes to see it again. The other children are jealous of her because she always talks about the sun. They lock her up in a closet, and when the sun finally comes out for a short time, they remember her not, and she misses seeing it. Characters Margot - protagonist of the story, nine-year-old who moved from Ohio to planet Venus when she was four years old. William - boy in Margot’s class, jealous of her and acts as a ringleader for the other students. The rest of students in the class - they are not named but also join William in teasing Margot. Plot Elements Exposition : Children living on Venus, where it rains all the time. Rising Action : Margot recalls the sun and the other children become jealous. Climax : The children lock Margot in ...