What makes 'donald barthelme best stories' special?

The special thing about his best stories is the way he combines the absurd with the profound. In stories like 'The School', on the surface, it seems like a very strange and almost comical account of things going wrong in a school. But when you look deeper, it's about much bigger things like the nature of life and death, and the randomness of existence. His use of language is also very creative. He uses simple words but arranges them in ways that create complex and thought - provoking images.

I think 'donald barthelme best stories' might be full of unique narrative styles. His stories often break the traditional story - telling rules. For example, the plots may be fragmented, but in this way, it can create a special atmosphere, making readers think more about the nature of the story and the deeper meaning behind it.

The best Donald Barthelme short stories are known for their absurdity. He often presents strange and unexpected situations. This absurdity can be a way to comment on society or the human condition. Also, his characters are often quirky and not like the typical characters you find in other stories. They may have odd behaviors or beliefs that drive the story in interesting directions.

One characteristic is his unique narrative style. His stories often break traditional narrative structures, which makes them quite distinct. For example, he might use fragmented storytelling that jumps between different ideas and scenarios, engaging the reader in a different kind of mental exploration.

The influence of his short stories extends to the academic field as well. They are often studied in literature courses to illustrate new trends in storytelling. His works serve as examples of how literature can be both entertaining and intellectually stimulating, and how it can reflect and comment on society at the same time.

Donald Barthelme short stories are often satirical. He targets various aspects of modern society, such as consumerism and the mass media. Through his satirical lens, he exposes the absurdities in our daily lives. His short stories can be quite thought - provoking, as they make readers question the norms and values that they might have taken for granted.

One of his great stories is 'The Balloon'. It's a rather unique piece that uses the image of a huge balloon suddenly appearing over New York City in an unexpected way to explore themes like urban life and human perception. Another good one is 'Me and Miss Mandible' which has a really interesting take on age differences and relationships in a rather absurd school - like setting.

The main characters vary widely. Sometimes it's a child trying to make sense of an adult world that is full of confusion and chaos. Other times, it might be an artist figure who is struggling with creativity and the meaning of art. These characters are used to explore different aspects of human nature and society.

He uses unexpected situations for humor. For example, the strange and sudden deaths in the school are presented in a way that has an element of dark humor. It's not the typical way of dealing with such serious topics.

The story seems to be a commentary on the futility and chaos of life. The various disasters that befall the school, like the death of the plants, animals, and even people, show how things can go wrong despite our best efforts. It also might be a critique of educational institutions and their attempts to impose order in a world that is fundamentally disorderly.