Alice Walker's story Everyday Use is intriguing after a first read. Simplistic in its plot, it conceals a deeper inquiry into what ties objects to abstract concepts people hold so dear: tradition, family, our roots, awareness of self, social standing. And why would someone find it intriguing, you might ask? Well, because many wouldn't see the idea of lending value to a discussion of mundane objects put to everyday use as something worth writing a story about.  Notwithstanding, Walker takes us down the road of careful contemplation, turning our eyes and minds to those things that make up our daily lives, whether passed down from generation to generation or bought to fill homes (with what residents deem) a sense of happiness. What Walker possibly wants to bring to the fore is the question: "Why do we have what we have and how do we treat it?" Are possessions in the service of aestheticism and decor, or does our toil give them the needless beauty we nonetheless asc...

This poem is a classic. It is taught in English-speaking schools to demonstrate how similes work in favor of descriptions and students are often assigned to write their own poem which should include a number of similes. This is an activity I heartily applaud as it introduces poetry to a younger audience, enabling every imaginative dreamer to experiment with novel ways to express their creativity and inner world. Merriam's gift is to balance her thoughts perfectly as she weaves her argument, sweeping us with her objective and inventive comparisons, making us think this is a neutral, matter-of-fact exposition of two trees, then hitting us with an emotional viewpoint to draw the matter to a close.

Murder will out. It always will. Well, not quite in the way we anticipate it will in this story by Ray Bradbury.  Taught in schools at a somewhat earlier age than expected, it is a tale of revenge, self-loathing and reconciliation you'd bank on adults to fathom to its fullest extent. However, it's never to early to make young adults aware that their actions tempt fate, and fate is never kind to those who snub it. When a 48-year-old man comes up with the insane idea on his birthday to return to his hometown and kill his so-called friend of 36 years ago, you expect the short narrative that ensues to be insanely interesting. 

When a wife dies and leaves her husband her diary, all is possible. In Gil bert Clandon's case, the legacy his wife leaves him is much more than he could ever have imagined.  Virgi nia Woolf signs an exceptional short story which questions the foundations of marriage, people's need for communication by any means possible a nd their inclusion in a mutually beneficial partnership . When one reneges on that contract, the other will seek new outlets to grow , as p ersonal d evelopment in any marriage is inevitable. If that development is undertaken without any consideration for one's spouse, then problems will unavoidably ensue.

When analyzing stories, certain key terms must be taken into account. In the previous list of literary terms , the variety of concepts presented are used not only to explain stories but also poems. I n addition to this, a number of other words were incl uded in the list that could be seen as pertinent to a class discussio n on a text.  This time round, however, the list will deal with key notions exclusively associated with stories . By looking at each main category, readers can evaluate works by authors and be able to elaborate on the stories themselves, either in w rit ing or orally . It is therefore vital for anyone involved in th e process of critically assessing literary work s, to keep these terms in mind so as to be able to write or speak ab out them in an academic environ ment ; h eck, even over a cup of coffee with f riends at a social gathering.   Note to teachers:  Naturall y, teachers should ha nd this list to students and cover each concept at ...

The short story "Tuesday of the Other June" written by Norma Fox Mazer has been included in high school syllabi around the world, mainly because of the relevance it bears to students and the academic environment as a whole.  Teens who are instructed to read this story are told to do so in order to become aware of the difficulties they either experience or the pain they inflict on one another at that age. Ultimately, teachers hope that the messages this story conveys will sink in with their students and enable the latter to become more aware of each others' feelings, particularities and sensibilities, changing in this way their perception of their peers and their behavior towards them.