30篇经典美文英语短篇(30 Classic English Short Stories Meaningful Tales in a Nutshell)
Introduction
Reading is one of life's greatest pleasures. Short stories, in particular, have the ability to captivate readers and draw them into a magical world of imagination. In this article, we will explore 30 classic English short stories that have stood the test of time and continue to offer readers meaningful tales in a nutshell.
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
This haunting story is about a man who murders his roommate and becomes obsessed with the sound of his own guilt. Despite his best efforts, the sound will not go away and ultimately leads to his demise.
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
At first glance, this story seems harmless enough - a small town holds a lottery each year to determine a sacrificial victim. However, as the story progresses, the sinister nature of the town's tradition becomes clear.
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
Set on Christmas Eve, this heartwarming story tells the tale of a couple who sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy each other the perfect Christmas gift. In the end, they realize that their love for one another is the greatest gift of all.
The Lady or the Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton
This suspenseful story is about a princess who must decide the fate of a man accused of a crime. She must choose between two doors, one of which holds a tiger, while the other holds a lady that the man will be forced to marry. The ending is left up to the reader's interpretation.
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain
This humorous story is about a man named Jim Smiley who enters his frog in a jumping contest. Just when it seems like he has the competition in the bag, his opponent reveals that he has been feeding Smiley's frog buckshot, causing him to lose the contest.
The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant
This thought-provoking story is about a woman who borrows a diamond necklace from a wealthy friend for a ball. When she loses the necklace, she and her husband spend years working to pay off the debt they incurred to replace it. In the end, they discover that the necklace was a fake.
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce
This eerie story is about a man who is about to be hanged for his involvement in a civil war conspiracy. As the rope tightens around his neck, he envisions an escape plan that seems to come to fruition, only to reveal a twist ending.
The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
This chilling story is about a man who takes revenge on a friend who has wronged him. He lures his friend into a wine cellar and bricks him up behind a wall, leaving him to slowly die in darkness.
A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner
This gothic story is about a woman named Emily who lives a reclusive life in a decaying mansion. As the story unfolds, we learn about her twisted past and the lengths she will go to in order to protect her secrets.
Bartleby, the Scrivener by Herman Melville
This melancholy story is about a lawyer who hires a copyist named Bartleby. As Bartleby begins to refuse the lawyer's requests, he descends into a state of isolation and despair that leaves the reader questioning the nature of the human condition.
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
This gripping story, told in journal form, is about a woman who is prescribed bed rest after the birth of her child. As her mental state deteriorates, she becomes obsessed with the pattern of the yellow wallpaper in her room, eventually leading to her own descent into madness.
The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs
This supernatural story is about a family who is given a magical monkey's paw that can grant three wishes. However, they soon discover that each wish comes with a terrible price.
A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor
This tragic story is about a family who is on a road trip when they encounter a group of criminals. As the story unfolds, we see the family's fate play out in a shocking and unexpected way.
The Lottery Ticket by Anton Chekhov
This humorous story is about a couple who win the lottery and spend the next few days dreaming of all the ways they will spend their newfound wealth. However, when they discover that their ticket is not a winner, they are left to ponder their own romantic and financial disillusionment.
The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne
This philosophical story is about a scientist who becomes obsessed with removing a birthmark on his wife's face. As the story unfolds, we see the man's ego and pride leading him down a dangerous path.
The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
This thrilling story is about a man who is hunted for sport by a crazed aristocrat. As the hunted man becomes the hunter, we see a battle of wits and survival play out to a chilling climax.
The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway
This poignant story is about a man on safari who reflects on his life and the many missed opportunities that have led him to his current state. As he faces death from a gangrenous leg, he realizes the true meaning of his life and love.
The Open Boat by Stephen Crane
This introspective story is about four men who are stranded on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean. As they struggle to survive, we see their various attitudes towards life and death play out in strikingly different ways.
The Gift of Magi by O. Henry
This inspiring story is about a couple who are so deeply in love that they are willing to sacrifice the very things they cherish most in order to give each other a Christmas gift. In the end, their love is the greatest gift of all.
The Outcasts of Poker Flat by Bret Harte
This tragic story is about a group of outcasts who are banished from a small town and forced to fend for themselves in the wilderness. As they struggle to survive, we see the true nature of humanity - both good and bad - on full display.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber
This hilarious story is about a man named Walter Mitty who spends his days daydreaming about daring adventures and conquests. However, as the story unfolds, we see that his real life is far from exciting.
Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne
This allegorical story is about a man named Goodman Brown who takes a journey into the woods, where he encounters a group of puritanical travelers. As the story unfolds, we see the danger of blind faith and the corrupting influence of sin.
The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry
This hilarious story is about two men who kidnap a young boy for ransom, only to discover that the boy is more than they can handle. As the story unfolds, we see that the boy's antics are worth far more than any ransom they could have collected.
The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber by Ernest Hemingway
This tragic story is about a couple on safari in Africa who encounter a wounded buffalo. As the story unfolds, we see the true nature of their relationship and the dangers that lie within man's animalistic nature.
The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe
This gothic story is about a man who visits his old friend Roderick Usher, only to discover that Roderick and his sister are suffering from a strange illness. As the story unfolds, we see the true horror of their situation and the malevolent force that has taken over their lives.
The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe
This eerie story is about a prince who holds a grand ball in his castle to avoid the effects of a plague that is ravaging the countryside. However, as the ball progresses, a mysterious figure in a red mask appears, bringing with him a sense of dread and foreboding.
The Hitchhiker by Roald Dahl
This thrilling story is about a man who picks up a hitchhiker on a deserted road. As the story unfolds, we see the true nature of the hitchhiker's intentions and the danger that the man is in.
The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield
This introspective story is about a young woman named Laura who is preparing for a garden party at her family's estate. As the story unfolds, we see her struggle with the concept of privilege and the reality of the world beyond her sheltered existence.
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
This dystopian story is about a world where everyone is forced to be equal. However, when a young man named Harrison Bergeron breaks free from his restraints, we see the true strength of the human spirit and the cost of absolute conformity.
Conclusion
Short stories have been a beloved form of literature for centuries, and these 30 classic English short stories offer readers meaningful tales in a nutshell. Each story has the ability to transport readers to a different time and place, offering a glimpse into the human experience that is both enlightening and captivating.
