One kind could be the traditional short story which follows a clear narrative arc with a beginning, middle and end. It often has a single main plotline and a small set of well - developed characters. Another kind might be the experimental short story. This type often plays with form, perhaps having a non - linear structure, fragmented narration, or using unique literary devices to convey its message.
There are many kinds of short stories. Some common ones include mystery short stories, where the plot often revolves around a puzzling event or crime that needs to be solved. Romance short stories focus on love and relationships between characters. Another kind is the horror short story, which aims to frighten and create a sense of unease with elements like the supernatural or psychological terror.
The four kinds of conflict in a short story are man vs. man, which is a direct conflict between two characters; man vs. self, involving a character's internal struggle; man vs. society, when a character is in opposition to the values or norms of society; and man vs. nature, where the character battles against the forces of nature.
Some common kinds of plots in a short story include the quest plot, where the character is on a journey to find something, like a treasure or a solution to a problem. Another is the conflict plot, which often involves a character in a struggle against another character, society, or nature. And there's also the transformation plot, where the main character undergoes a significant change in their personality or view of the world.
There are protagonists, who are the main characters around which the story revolves. Then there are antagonists, characters that oppose the protagonist. There are also minor characters, who may play supporting roles, like the friendly neighbor who gives some advice to the protagonist, or the shopkeeper where the main character often goes.
The short story 'Two Kinds' is about the struggle of identity. The mother tries to shape the daughter into a certain kind of person. But the daughter resists. One important aspect is the cultural difference. The mother, influenced by her Chinese heritage, has a different view of success compared to the daughter who is growing up in an American environment. This cultural gap also adds to their conflict.
Protagonist is one kind. It's the main character around whom the story revolves. Antagonist is another, often opposing the protagonist. Then there are minor characters who play supporting roles, like the best friend of the protagonist, or the nosy neighbor who adds some color and context to the story.
One theme is the generational and cultural gap. As I said before, the mother from a Chinese background and the daughter growing up in America have different ideas of success and life. Another theme is parental pressure. The mother's high hopes for her daughter cause a lot of stress in their relationship.
Mystery short stories typically have a lot of suspense. They keep readers guessing until the end. Horror short stories use spooky settings and disturbing imagery. Love short stories are often full of emotions. Fable short stories are short and simple with a clear moral. Science - fiction short stories can be very imaginative.
In a short story, you'll find dynamic characters. These are characters that change over the course of the story, often learning a lesson or growing in some way. Static characters, on the other hand, remain the same throughout the story. Additionally, there are flat characters, who are simple and one - dimensional, usually having only one or two traits. And then there are round characters which are complex and multi - faceted, just like real people.