Short stories | Lecturia

Ray Bradbury: The Veldt

The Veldt is a short story by Ray Bradbury, published on September 23, 1950, in The Saturday Evening Post and later included in The Illustrated Man (1951). Set in a future where technology dominates everyday life, it tells the story of the Hadley family and their automated home, designed to meet their every need. Its most significant innovation is a virtual reality games room capable of materializing any imagined environment. However, their peace of mind is disturbed when the room repeatedly projects a disturbing scene of the African savannah, where lions lurk in the grass. As their children’s obsession with this landscape grows, the Hadleys question the impact of excessive technology on their family.

Edgar Allan Poe: The Tell-Tale Heart

“The Tell-Tale Heart” is a story by Edgar Allan Poe, published in 1843, that delves into the dark recesses of the human mind. The tale follows a protagonist who insists on his sanity as he narrates the events surrounding his cohabitation with an older man. The story centers on the narrator’s obsession with a particular … Read more

Bram Stoker: The Judge’s House

In the short story “The Judge’s House” by Bram Stoker, a college student named Malcolm Malcolmson is looking for a quiet place to study, so he decides to settle in an old, uninhabited house in the village of Benchurch, known as The Judge’s House. The house has imposing Jacobean architecture and a sinister reputation, making it seem perfect for his purposes. Despite the locals’ warnings, Malcolmson begins his routine study but is soon disrupted by strange noises and the appearance of a sinister-looking rat. As unsettling events unfold, Malcolmson realizes that the house conceals dark secrets that threaten his safety.

Ernest Hemingway: Cat in the Rain

Ernest Hemingway’s “Cat in the Rain” is a short story about an American couple vacationing at a hotel in Italy. On a rainy day, the wife observes a small cat sheltering from the rain through the window of their room. This event triggers a series of reflections and actions on the wife’s part, revealing subtle … Read more

Edgar Allan Poe: The Oval Portrait. Full Story, Summary and Analysis

The Oval Portrait, a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, tells the story of a badly injured man who takes refuge in an abandoned castle with his servant. Intrigued by the numerous paintings in the castle, he discovers an oval portrait of a young woman that appears almost lifelike. Reading a book on the history of the paintings, he learns that the painter of the portrait was obsessed with capturing the essence of his young wife, devoting himself wholeheartedly to the task. The painting and the artist’s story reveal a deep connection between art and life, unveiling the painter’s intense dedication and the consequences of his obsession.

Graham Greene: The Destructors

Synopsis: In “The Destroyers,” a short story by Graham Greene published in 1954 in Picture Post magazine, a gang of young boys is led by a new and enigmatic member, Trevor, who plans to destroy an old house in their neighborhood. The house, inhabited by Mr. Thomas, had once been a splendid building designed by Christopher Wren. However, it is now the only building left standing after the neighborhood was devastated by wartime bombing. Trevor convinces the gang that, instead of stealing or causing minor damage, they should take advantage of Mr. Thomas’s brief absence to completely demolish the house.