Can you give some examples of short stories that focus on appearance vs reality?

Appearance vs reality in short stories can be explored in multiple ways. One common method is through the use of symbolism. For example, a shiny, expensive - looking jewel in a story might seem to represent wealth and beauty. However, as the story progresses, it could be revealed that the jewel was stolen or has some sort of cursed history, thus showing that its appearance is deceiving. Another aspect is the use of dialogue. Characters might say things that seem sincere and straightforward, but their actions later prove otherwise. This disparity between what is said (appearance) and what is actually done (reality) adds depth to the exploration of this theme. Moreover, the narrative perspective can play a role. If a story is told from the point of view of a naïve character, they might misinterpret the appearances of things around them, and as the reader follows their perspective, they gradually discover the true reality along with the character.

Sure. In 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley, John the Savage battles the hedonistic and highly stratified society. He finds the values of this world, like casual sex and drug - use for pleasure, completely against his own. Another instance is 'The Hunger Games' where Katniss Everdeen stands up to the Capitol, a society that forces children to fight to the death for entertainment. And then there's 'To Kill a Mockingbird' where Atticus Finch challenges the racist society in which he lives when he defends a black man.

One example is the story of Nelson Mandela. He fought against the apartheid government in South Africa. The government had a system of racial segregation which Mandela strongly opposed. He was imprisoned for his activism but his fight eventually led to the end of apartheid. Another is the case of Gandhi in India. He led non - violent protests against the British colonial government. His campaigns for India's independence were a powerful example of man against a powerful government.

Sure. 'The last leaf fell. She knew winter had truly arrived.' This is a very short story that conveys a sense of change and realization in just a few words.

Definitely. Classification can be by the use of symbolism. If a short story heavily uses certain symbols, it can be grouped with others that do the same. For example, stories where a red rose is a symbol of love. By the tone as well. A sarcastic - toned short story is different from a sincere - toned one. Also, according to the level of complexity. There are simple short stories that are easy to understand and complex ones that require more in - depth thinking.

Here is a more elaborate short rhyming story. There once was a dog named Bog. He liked to jog in the fog. He found a log and on it did plod. He then saw a frog and gave a big shrug, as the frog was not for a tug.

Sure. One short erratic story could be: A cat suddenly decided to chase its own tail in the middle of the living room, spun around and around until it got dizzy and then just lay down as if nothing had happened. Another could be: A man was walking down the street, saw a bright red balloon floating towards him, and as he reached out to touch it, it popped for no apparent reason.

Yes. 'The Good Samaritan' is a great parable short story. It tells of a man who is robbed and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping, but a Samaritan, who was from a group despised by the Jews, stops and takes care of the injured man. This story teaches about kindness and not being prejudiced. Also, 'The Prodigal Son' is a parable. A young man asks for his inheritance early, squanders it, but when he returns home, his father welcomes him back with open arms, showing forgiveness.

Sure. One example could be a story where a student has a shortfall in study materials. He can't afford all the textbooks he needs, so he has to rely on borrowing from the library and sharing with classmates. This shortfall then becomes a challenge he has to overcome to succeed in his studies.

Yes. For example, a chef who accidentally added salt instead of sugar to a cake but managed to turn it into a new and delicious creation is an anecdote short story. Then there's the story of a fisherman who caught a very rare fish and instead of selling it, he released it back into the water. And an anecdote about a group of friends who went camping and had a spooky encounter with what they thought was a ghost in the woods.