Short Story Unit B: Author and Story Information

Countries Represented Russia (Asia) Columbia (Latin America) Egypt (Africa) France (Europe)

Author #1: Leo Tolstoy From: Russia Birth: 1828 Death: 1910

Tolstoy Cont. Focus: Realist Fiction Famous Novels: –War and Peace –Anna Karenina (Oprah Book Club Selection)

Tolstoy Cont. Born into wealth and nobility Traveled to Europe to escape stifling political repression in Russia War and Peace: said to be one of the greatest novels ever written!

Tolstoy Cont. Interesting fact: Tolstoy did not like Shakespeare! –I remember the astonishment I felt when I first read Shakespeare…Not only did I feel no delight but I felt an irresistible repulsion and tedium…

Tolstoy on Religion Tolstoy believed that a true Christian could find lasting happiness by striving for inner self-perfection through following the Great Commandment of loving one’s neighbor and God rather than looking outward to the Church or state for guidance.

“The Long Exile” Written in 1888 Published as a children’s story Setting: Russia/Siberia The story of a man who is falsely accused of a crime and when given the chance to get even, makes a bold decision.

Author #2 Gabriel Garcia Marquez From: Colombia Birth: 1927 Death: Still alive!

Marquez Cont. Awarded Nobel Prize in Literature, 1982 One Hundred Years of Solitude (also Oprah book club selection…see a trend with good books???) Love in the Time of Cholera: movie, 2007

Marquez Cont. Interesting fact: The novel Memories of My Melancholy Whores (2003) was banned in Iran after 5000 copies were sold. (It’s the story of a 90 year old man who romances a teenage concubine)

Marquez Cont. Themes in Marquez’ stories: –Reality –Solitude –Setting: small villages (usually his home town of Aracataca, Columbia

“Tuesday Siesta” Written: 1984 The story of a mother and daughter who fight the elements of setting to pay tribute to her son/brother in a town that could not be bothered to take the time to assist them.

Naguib Mahfouz From: Egypt Birth: 1911 Death: 2006

Mahfouz Cont. Awarded Nobel Prize in Literature, 1988 Explored the theme of existentialism

existentialism a philosophical attitude that stresses the individual's unique position as a self- determining agent responsible for the authenticity of his or her choices, not influenced by God or religion.

Mahfouz Cont. Born in lower class, Muslim family Great influence: The Egyptian Revolution of He watched British soldiers firing at demonstrators, men and women.

Mahfouz Cont. Writing Style: focused on psychological impact of social change on ordinary people Also dealt with politics, antipathy towards Islamic extremism, criticized radical Islam

“The Norwegian Rat” Published: 1984 Setting: Cairo, Egypt (1970’s) A story about a rat infestation and how sometimes the solution is worse than the problem.

Guy de Maupassant From: France Birth: 1850 Death: 1893 Wrote: “The Necklace”

Maupassant Stories are characterized by their economy of style and efficient, effortless denouement. Delighted in clever plotting (simple writing, understandable endings)

Maupassant Considered one of the fathers of modern short story writing. Interesting fact: Guy de Maupassant was very fond of Shakespeare! And, Tolstoy respected Maupassant’s writings!

“The Piece of String” The story of a man who, in trying to hide the fact that he was cheap, made everyone think he was a fool and a liar.