Short Story as a Form of Literature

 Short Story as a Form of Literature

What is a short story? What are the various characteristics of it?

Introduction:
A Short Story is a ‘short piece of fiction aiming at unity of characterization’. According to H. E. Bates, the short story has the infinite and infinitely variable nature of a cloud. Edgar Allan Poe says that the short story should have the unity of impression and singleness of purpose. Somerset Maugham says, “A Short Story should be a finished product of art with a beginning, a middle and an end.”

Since the short story format includes a wide range of genres and styles, the actual length is determined by the individual author’s preference. Many short story writers define their work through a combination of creative personal expression and artistic integrity. A short story differs from an anecdote because it presents a structured narrative. Like the novel, it uses characters, dialogue, plot, and setting. However, unlike the novel, it is significantly shorter in both length and scope. The action, thoughts, and emotions are compressed into a tight frame.

The short story has come to be the most favourite literary form in the modern age. The short story emerged as a literary form in the 19th century. The modern age is an age of din and bustle. The modern man lives a busy life and he has little or no time left for reading bulky books. A man cannot live by bread alone; he must read books to have mental relaxation. So he falls back upon the short story, which requires from half an hour to one or two hours. The short story is a special type of a prose fiction, differing from novel in length. Edgar Allan Poe called it a prose tale that can be read at a single sitting and aims at creating a single effect. It avoids too many details or characters.

The chief characteristics of short story:

Structure:
The short story, as the name itself implies, must be short and must be a story. It is a flexible narrative form. It is usually less than 15000 words in length. Most short stories begin close to the climax. There is little time for introduction or slow build-up. The complications are few, and the ending is quick.

Brevity:
Brevity is the main characteristic of the short story. A short story is a story that can be read at a single sitting. The brevity of the short story does not permit the multiplicity of settings, the span of years, the large number of characters or multiple and complex relationships. Though it is brief, it should be complete in itself. Within its small compass, it should have the beginning, the middle, and the end like a novel or drama. A short story deals with a fragment or slice of life, not with the entire life. Unlike novels, it does not exhibit life in all its variety and complexity. It generally treats a single incident or situation. It tends to centre on a representative or climactic moment in the life of a protagonist. Some stories are very brief—just five hundred words. These are called short short stories. Some are long like Conrad’s Heart of Darkness or James’s The Turn of the Screw. These are called novelettes or novellas.

Singleness of Effect:
To achieve a single narrative effect, the writer must select the minimum number of incidents and characters. With a single incident or situation, the writer produces a unity of impression. Poe’s idea of singleness of effect influenced many writers. Every element in the story contributes to this effect—be it plot, setting, character, or tone.

Characters:
In a short story, the characters are few, and a single aspect of a character is dealt with. Analysis of a character is impossible because of its limited canvas. If two characters suffice, a writer should not introduce a third one. Writers often choose one central figure and focus on his or her thoughts or actions. Stories of character, such as those by Chekhov or Hemingway, show depth in very little space. Hemingway’s “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” shows the thoughts of a waiter through a short scene.

Plot:
The short story lacks a complicated plot and leisurely description. Everything superfluous must be omitted. Because of the unity of design and singleness of aim a writer cannot introduce sub-plots. The event in the plot may be comic, tragic, romantic or satiric. Stories of incident focus on what happens, like detective stories by Poe or surprise endings by O. Henry. Stories of character focus on emotion or psychology, like Chekhov’s or Hemingway’s stories.

Language:
The language of economics should be a model of the short story. Every word in it should contribute to its effect. The writer must have a good command of language. Short stories demand precision. There is no room for unnecessary detail. Every sentence must advance the story.

Summing up:
There are two different conceptions regarding the art of the short story. The followers of Poe emphasise plot, while the followers of Russian writers evolved a more realistic type of story, concentrating mainly on character and atmosphere. Chekhov was the master of the ‘Slice of life’ school, as it is called. The compression of a maximum of life within a minimum of space is the ideal of short story writers.

The French short story writer Maupassant is one of the greatest masters of the realistic short story. He is remarkable for his detachment, while Chekhov is remarkable for his compassion and sympathy. They are both masters of the art of compression and of compact style. The short story has flourished in England in the hands of such great writers as Arthur Conan Doyle, Joseph Conrad, H. G. Wells, Arnold Bennett, Katherine Mansfield, Rudyard Kipling, John Cowper Powys, and H. E. Bates, among others.

The modern short story evolved to meet the demands of magazines and periodicals. It gained popularity in the 19th century with writers such as Irving, Poe, Hawthorne, and Gogol. Almost every major novelist has tried the form. In America, the short story has been called a national art form by Frank O’Connor. Famous American writers include Twain, Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor, J.D. Salinger, and others.

Short stories go far back in history. The Bible contains stories like those of Ruth and Jonah. Ancient tales, such as The Arabian Nights, often employ frame stories. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales is an early example where each character tells a different short story within a larger journey. This structure allows different voices and themes to emerge.

In conclusion, the short story is a rich and varied form. It is short but powerful. It may be realistic or fantastic, action-filled or deeply psychological. It has a long history and a bright future in world literature.

Dr. Jignesh Panchal
Assistant Professor & Head
Department of English, 
C. B. Patel Arts College, Nadiad

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