What are the essential features of a short story? Answer with suitable examples from the course.
The short story
is one of the most popular and effective forms of prose fiction. Though brief
in length, it is capable of producing a powerful and lasting impression on the
reader. Unlike the novel, which deals with a wide range of characters,
incidents, and themes, the short story concentrates on a single situation, emotion,
or conflict. Writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Anton Chekhov, Mulk Raj Anand,
Katherine Mansfield, and R. K. Narayan have demonstrated that a short story,
when skillfully written, can achieve artistic completeness and emotional depth.
The essential features of a short story can be clearly understood through
examples commonly prescribed in literature courses.
One of the most
important features of a short story is brevity. A short story is meant
to be read in one sitting, and therefore it avoids unnecessary description and
subplots. Every word, incident, and character has a specific function. For
example, in Mulk Raj Anand’s The Lost Child, the narrative is simple and
compact. The story moves swiftly from the child’s excitement at the fair to his
separation from his parents and finally to his emotional realization. There are
no digressions, yet the story conveys a deep psychological and moral truth.
This economy of form distinguishes the short story from longer fictional
genres.
Closely related
to brevity is unity of impression, a concept strongly emphasized by
Edgar Allan Poe. A short story aims to produce a single dominant effect on the
reader. All elements—plot, character, setting, and language—are organized to
achieve this effect. In The Lost Child, the dominant impression is the
child’s emotional transformation from desire to loss. The fair, the crowd, the
toys, and the stranger all contribute to this unified emotional impact.
Similarly, in Katherine Mansfield’s A Cup of Tea, the focus remains on
Rosemary Fell’s sudden confrontation with poverty and her shallow charity,
creating a unified impression of irony and social criticism.
Another
essential feature is a simple and focused plot. A short story usually
deals with one main incident or conflict rather than a series of complex
events. The plot often follows a clear structure: introduction, conflict,
climax, and resolution. In The Lost Child, the central conflict is the
child’s separation from his parents. This single incident drives the entire
story. Likewise, in R. K. Narayan’s stories such as An Astrologer’s Day,
the plot revolves around one crucial encounter that leads to a moment of
revelation. Such simplicity allows the story to remain intense and meaningful
despite its limited length.
Limited characters form another key feature of the short
story. Unlike novels, short stories focus on one main character, with a few
minor characters supporting the central action. This limitation helps maintain
focus and unity. In The Lost Child, the child is the central figure,
while the parents, villagers, and stranger remain secondary. They are not fully
developed individuals but serve to highlight the child’s emotional state.
Similarly, in A Cup of Tea, Rosemary is the only fully developed
character, while others function as contrasts to expose her personality.
Characterization in short stories is often suggestive
rather than detailed. Writers rely on a few significant actions, dialogues, or
thoughts to reveal character. In The Lost Child, Anand uses the child’s
shifting reactions—from excitement to despair—to reveal his psychological
growth. There is no elaborate background, yet the child emerges as a convincing
and memorable figure. This method of indirect characterization is a hallmark of
the short story form.
Another
essential feature is compression of time and space. A short story
usually covers a brief period and a limited setting. Events often take place
within a few hours or a single day. The Lost Child unfolds during one
visit to a village fair. This concentration intensifies the emotional impact
and keeps the narrative tight. Similarly, many of R. K. Narayan’s stories are
confined to a single location in Malgudi and a short time span.
Theme is central to the short story, though
it is often implied rather than explicitly stated. A good short story conveys a
universal idea through a specific situation. The Lost Child explores
themes such as human attachment, the futility of material desire, and the
importance of love and security. A Cup of Tea examines themes of class
consciousness, hypocrisy, and superficial generosity. The thematic depth
achieved within a short narrative demonstrates the artistic strength of the
genre.
Economy of
language is another
defining feature. Short story writers use simple, precise, and evocative
language to convey meaning quickly and effectively. Descriptions are brief but
vivid. Anand’s language in The Lost Child is straightforward and
accessible, reflecting the child’s point of view. This simplicity enhances
emotional authenticity and universality.
Many short
stories also end with a twist, revelation, or moment of insight, often
called an epiphany. This moment gives the story its final impact and deeper
meaning. In The Lost Child, the epiphany occurs when the child rejects
toys and sweets and realizes that nothing matters more than his parents. This
realization transforms the story from a simple incident into a powerful
allegory of human life.
Finally, suggestiveness
and symbolism play an important role in short stories. Objects, settings,
or incidents often carry symbolic meaning. The fair in The Lost Child
symbolizes the world with its temptations, while the parents represent security
and moral grounding. Such symbolism adds layers of meaning without lengthening
the narrative.
In conclusion,
the short story is a compact yet powerful literary form characterized by
brevity, unity of impression, simple plot, limited characters, economy of
language, and thematic depth. Through examples like The Lost Child and A
Cup of Tea, it becomes clear that the strength of a short story lies not in
elaborate narration but in its ability to capture a moment of human experience
with clarity and intensity. When these essential features are skillfully
combined, the short story achieves artistic completeness and lasting emotional
impact.
🌐 Visit: shop.senrig.in
Read Also :
0 comments:
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.