What are the characteristics of the best black short stories?

The best short short stories usually have a tight plot. Take 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' for instance. The events are carefully crafted to build suspense and surprise. They also tend to have well - drawn characters despite their brevity. In 'Hills Like White Elephants', the two main characters' personalities and relationship are subtly revealed through their dialogue. Moreover, they can often make a big impact with just a few words, like 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' which leaves you pondering long after reading.

One characteristic is the unexpected twists. In a black comedy short story, things don't usually go as expected. There could be a sudden turn of events that is both shocking and comical. Also, the characters might have flaws or be in immoral situations, and the story plays on that. The humor comes from the contrast between the serious and the absurd. For instance, a character might be in a life - threatening situation but act in a completely idiotic way, which creates that black humor. It's like a mix of tragedy and comedy, where the tragic elements are presented in a way that makes you chuckle despite the darkness.

The use of rich and vivid language is common in black authors' short stories. They might incorporate African - American Vernacular English or other dialects to give an authentic feel to the stories. This not only makes the stories more engaging but also helps in portraying the unique voices of the characters. Also, these short stories often deal with social justice issues. Whether it's fighting against police brutality, unequal educational opportunities, or poverty, they are a means to raise awareness and call for change.

They tend to have strong moral or thematic elements. Since they are concise, they can quickly convey a message. Like in 'The Most Dangerous Game', it makes a statement about the value of life and the nature of hunters and prey. The black and white nature of good and evil is often explored in these stories.

One characteristic is the use of a dark or gloomy setting. For example, it might be set in a desolate forest or an abandoned building. This immediately sets a somber mood.

Dark settings are common. They are often set in gloomy places like old mansions, fog - covered cemeteries or desolate towns. For example, in many Poe's stories, the setting adds to the overall sense of dread.

One characteristic is often a sense of foreboding. In many such stories, from the very beginning, there's an atmosphere that makes the reader feel something bad is going to happen. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's erratic behavior immediately sets a spooky tone. Another characteristic is the exploration of the darker side of human nature. These stories might show greed, envy, or cruelty as in 'The Lottery' where the villagers' blind adherence to a cruel tradition reveals their inhumane side. Also, they usually have a compact narrative. Since they are novellas or short stories, they get to the point quickly without a lot of extraneous details.

One characteristic is the strong emphasis on the beauty of black skin and black culture. For example, in many short black love stories, the description of the black characters' physical features like their dark skin, curly hair is done in an affectionate way. Another characteristic is the presence of cultural elements such as African - American music, food or traditions that play a role in the relationship. For instance, the couple might bond over cooking traditional black - inspired dishes.

Many famous black short stories often deal with themes of struggle, whether it's racial, social, or personal. For example, in stories set in the context of slavery or post - slavery America, the characters are constantly fighting against oppression. They also tend to have vivid descriptions of the settings, like the rural South or inner - city neighborhoods, which play a big role in shaping the characters and the plot.

They could also have a strong sense of setting. Hannah Black might use settings to create atmosphere and enhance the overall mood of the story. For example, if it's a spooky short story, the setting could be a dilapidated old house or a fog - covered forest. The characters in her short stories are likely to be complex. They may not be one - dimensional but have multiple layers to their personalities, which makes them more interesting and relatable to the readers.