Comparative Analysis of Short Stories

The essay will require you to compare & contrast two of the short stories studied in class. Comparison/contrast essays require you to look at how certain elements – ideas, themes, characters, etc. – are similar and/or different in two pieces of writing. This exercise will require you to have a firm understanding of both the stories themselves and the literary elements that you are examining. It is intended to broaden your understanding of how different pieces of literature can explore similar themes.

1. Compare and contrast the extraterrestrials in “Bloodchild” and “Story of Your Life.” Which are the more human-like aliens? How do the two stories use aliens to explore human themes?

2. Explore the theme of consumerism in “The Necklace” and “Friday Black.” What do these two stories have to say about life in a capitalist society?

3. Explore elements of the weird fiction genre in “Pickman’s Model” and “The Enigma of Amigara Fault.” How do they engage with the various elements of the genre? Are the authors doing something similar? 

4. Consider the irony in “The Lottery” and “Escape from Spiderhead.” Which of the three types of irony do they engage in? On the surface they appear to be extremely different stories, yet looking closer, do they use irony to a similar end? 

5. Compare and contrast the antagonists in “Bloodchild” and “Escape from Spiderhead.” Both of these characters (T’Gatoi and Abnesti) play the dual role of captor and friend. What do both these characters have to say about the nature of control and manipulation?

6. Consider the theme of communication in “Bartleby, the Scrivener” and “Story of Your Life.” Both of these stories illustrate both the challenge and necessity of effective communication. What do they have to say about the nature of communication, especially the failure to communicate?

7. Can “Friday Black” be considered absurdist literature? Explore this idea by comparing it to an established piece of absurd lit that assigned in class (“A Hunger Artist” or The Outsider).

8. Examine the themes of race and racism in either “Sonny’s Blues” or “Everyday Use” and compare them with the lyrics of Kendrick Lamar. Consider that about half-a-century separates these cultural products. What do they have to say about being black in America? In what ways are things different now? In what ways are they similar?