Can you recommend some of the best short stories in 'hawthorn best short stories'?

Symbolism is a big characteristic. For example, in 'The Scarlet Letter', which may be included in such a collection, the scarlet letter itself is a powerful symbol that represents sin, shame, and at the same time, a form of identity. The stories also usually have complex characters. They are not simply good or bad, but rather a mix of different qualities, like the characters in 'My Kinsman, Major Molineux' who are part of a complex social and moral landscape.

Sure. 'A Clean, Well - Lighted Place' by Ernest Hemingway is a great one. It's short but profound, exploring themes of loneliness and the search for meaning. Another is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It has a shocking ending that makes you think about society and traditions. And 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is also wonderful, showing the selfless love between a couple.

There are many. 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton is really interesting. It ends with a cliffhanger, making the reader wonder what the outcome is. 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe is a classic. The narrator's descent into madness is both terrifying and fascinating. 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' by Ambrose Bierce is another. It plays with time and reality in a very clever way.

One of the well - known short stories from Twain is 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County'. It's a humorous tale about a bet on a frog - jumping contest.

There's also 'The Hand'. It's a story that shows Colette's ability to create an atmosphere. Through her words, you can almost feel the tension and the unspoken emotions that the characters are experiencing.

Sure. One of the great short mystery stories is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a classic that delves into the mind of a mad narrator. Another one could be 'Lamb to the Slaughter' by Roald Dahl. The story has an unexpected twist when the seemingly innocent wife uses a frozen leg of lamb as a weapon. And then there's 'The Speckled Band' by Arthur Conan Doyle, a Sherlock Holmes mystery where Holmes has to solve a strange case involving a young woman's fear for her life.

Sure. 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is a great one. It tells the story of a young couple who sacrifice their most precious possessions for each other. Another is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, which has a shocking ending. And 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor is also very good, exploring themes of morality and grace.

Of course. 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton is a classic short story that leaves the ending up to the reader's imagination. 'Bartleby, the Scrivener' by Herman Melville is another interesting one. It portrays a strange and passive character. And 'Rip Van Winkle' by Washington Irving, which tells the story of a man who sleeps for 20 years and wakes up to a very different world.

Yes. Hemingway's 'Hills Like White Elephants' is among the best. It's a short but powerful story that uses minimal dialogue to convey deep emotions and a complex relationship between a man and a woman. Then there's 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It's a feminist classic that delves into the mental state of a woman confined in a room. Also, 'Bartleby, the Scrivener' by Herman Melville is a fascinating read, with its strange and unresponsive main character.

Sure. 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is a great one. It tells a heartwarming story about a young couple who sacrifice their most precious possessions for each other. Another is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, which is a very thought - provoking story with a shocking ending. And 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor is also among the best, exploring complex themes through a rather dark narrative.