Notes on Short Story for UGC NET Examination

1. Definition and Elements of a Short Story

• Short Story: A brief work of fiction typically focused on a singular event or character, meant to be read in one sitting.
• Key Elements:
  • Plot: The sequence of events in the story, often with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
  • Character: Central individuals who drive the narrative; often fewer in number than in longer works.
  • Setting: The time and place where the story occurs.
  • Theme: The central idea or message conveyed by the story.
  • Point of View: The perspective from which the story is told (first-person, third-person, omniscient, limited, etc.).
  • Conflict: The central struggle between opposing forces, which drives the narrative.
  • Tone: The author's attitude towards the subject matter or audience.
  • Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent larger ideas.

Notes on Short Story for UGC NET Examination

2. Historical Development of the Short Story

• Classical and Medieval Roots:

  • Aesop’s Fables: Short tales with moral lessons.
  • The Arabian Nights: A collection of Middle Eastern folk tales.
  • Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales: Stories told by pilgrims.

• 19th Century:

  • Pioneers of the Modern Short Story:
    • Edgar Allan Poe: Emphasized unity of effect; The Tell-Tale Heart.
    • Nathaniel Hawthorne: Explored moral and psychological themes; Young Goodman Brown.
    • Guy de Maupassant: Known for twist endings; The Necklace.
    • Anton Chekhov: Focused on everyday life and character; The Lady with the Dog.

• 20th Century:

  • American Realism and Naturalism:
    • Ernest Hemingway: Known for his succinct style; Hills Like White Elephants.
    • William Faulkner: Complex narratives and Southern settings; A Rose for Emily.
  • Modernist Experimentation:
    • James Joyce: Stream of consciousness; Dubliners.
    • Katherine Mansfield: Psychological depth and subtle narrative; The Garden Party.
  • Post-Modernism and Beyond:
    • Jorge Luis Borges: Metafiction and labyrinthine narratives; The Garden of Forking Paths.
    • Raymond Carver: Minimalism; What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.

• Contemporary Trends:

  • Diverse Voices: Representation of various cultural, racial, and gender perspectives.
  • Flash Fiction: Extremely short stories, often under 1,000 words, focused on brevity and impact.

Notes on Short Story for UGC NET Examination

3. Characteristics of the Short Story

• Conciseness: Limited length necessitates focused and economical storytelling.
• Single Effect: Often aims to evoke a specific mood or impression.
• Unity of Theme: Generally centers around a singular theme or idea.
• Immediate Action: Typically begins close to the climax or significant event.
• Limited Characters: Few characters to maintain brevity and focus.
• Open or Ambiguous Endings: Often leaves some elements open to interpretation.

4. Major Short Story Writers and Their Works

• Edgar Allan Poe: The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher.
• Nathaniel Hawthorne: Young Goodman Brown, The Birth-Mark.
• Anton Chekhov: The Lady with the Dog, The Bet.
• Katherine Mansfield: The Garden Party, Bliss.
• Ernest Hemingway: Hills Like White Elephants, A Clean, Well-Lighted Place.
• James Joyce: Araby, The Dead.
• Flannery O’Connor: A Good Man is Hard to Find, Everything That Rises Must Converge.
• Raymond Carver: Cathedral, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.

Notes on Short Story for UGC NET Examination

5. Techniques in Short Story Writing

• Show, Don’t Tell: Using actions, dialogue, and sensory details rather than exposition.
• In Medias Res: Beginning the story in the middle of action.
• Flashback: Interrupting the present action to describe past events.
• Foreshadowing: Hinting at future events to build anticipation.
• Irony: Discrepancy between expectation and reality.
• Symbolism: Using objects, characters, or events to represent larger ideas.
• Minimalism: Sparse detail and economical language to create a powerful effect.

6. Theoretical Approaches to Short Stories

• Formalism: Focus on the form, structure, and language of the text.
• Structuralism: Examines the underlying structures that shape the story.
• Psychoanalytic Criticism: Explores the psychological dimensions of characters and narratives.
• Marxist Criticism: Analyzes class and socio-economic issues within the story.
• Feminist Criticism: Examines gender roles and representation.
• Postcolonial Criticism: Investigates themes of colonialism and cultural identity.
• Reader-Response Criticism: Focuses on the reader’s interpretation and experience.

Notes on Short Story for UGC NET Examination

7. Reading and Interpreting Short Stories

• Close Reading: Analyzing the text for deeper meanings and literary techniques.
• Contextual Analysis: Considering historical, cultural, and biographical contexts.
• Thematic Analysis: Identifying and exploring the central themes.
• Comparative Analysis: Comparing the short story with other works by the same author or within the same genre.

8. Significance of Short Stories

• Cultural Reflection: Short stories often reflect the values, struggles, and perspectives of their time.
• Emotional Impact: The brevity of short stories allows for a concentrated emotional experience.
• Intellectual Engagement: Encourages critical thinking and interpretation.
• Aesthetic Pleasure: Offers enjoyment through its artistic and narrative qualities.

Notes on Short Story for UGC NET Examination