1. Short Stories and “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst

2. Short Stories No length prescription in words.
Length more determined on needs of the story.
According to the creepy Edgar Allen Poe, a short story must: -Be complete by itself -Be read in one sitting -Depend on the significance of every word -Have a good opening sentence that is developed throughout the work -End at its climax -Have no more characters than those necessary for the plot.

3. Poe on Sabrina
Start and 2.05

4. But… These “rules” are by no means gospel.
The structure and form is more important than length. Eg. “The Indian Life”.

5. Aspects of a short story
Plot
P.O.V.
Intention/theme
Characters
Setting
Story is given tone by the way the writer chooses to tell the story.

6. Why write a short story?
Entertainment (Heresy to English teachers (and “proper” readers!))
To make the reader “question” ideas
To move the reader to be: angry, happy, disgusted, etc
Can have more than one purpose.

7. The Scarlet Ibis, published 1960