Short Story: Definition, Characteristics, and Elements of Short Story

-

 Survey Topics
1. Short Story: Definition and Characteristics
2. Elements of Short Story

1. Short Story: Definition and Characteristics 

Short Story: Definition 

A short story is a brief work of fiction written in simple, direct, and clear language. It presents one main incident, few characters, and a single theme. The aim of the short story is to create one strong emotional effect on the reader—such as surprise, joy, sadness, or shock.
Because it is short, every line has a purpose and nothing is extra.

Characteristics of a Short Story:

1. Short Length

A short story is short and direct in form. It generally contains 1,000 to 5,000 words. Because of its limited length, the writer does not include unnecessary details and focuses only on the most important incident.

In An Astrologer’s Day, R. K. Narayan presents the entire story within a short time span by focusing only on one evening in the astrologer’s life.
In The Lament, Chekhov narrates only one night of Iona’s life, showing his sorrow briefly but deeply.
In The Last Leaf, O’ Henry limits the story to a few days during Johnsy’s illness, making the narrative compact and powerful.

Thus, the short length makes the story sharp, effective, and easy to read.

2. Single Theme

A short story is built around one central theme. All events, characters, and situations support this single idea.

In An Astrologer’s Day, the main theme is fate and guilt, as the astrologer escapes his past crime and realizes that destiny has given him a second chance.
In The Lament, the central theme is loneliness and human indifference, as Iona fails to find anyone willing to listen to his grief.
In The Last Leaf, the main theme is hope and sacrifice, shown through Behrman’s selfless act to save Johnsy.

Each story concentrates on only one major idea, which gives it unity and depth.

3. Limited Characters

A short story has very few characters. Usually there is one main character and a few supporting characters. This keeps the story simple and focused.

In An Astrologer’s Day, the main characters are the astrologer and the stranger, while a few minor characters appear briefly.
In The Lament, Iona Potapov is the central character, and the other people he meets are only temporary figures.
In The Last Leaf, the story mainly revolves around Johnsy, Sue, and Behrman.

The limited number of characters helps the reader concentrate on the main action and emotional conflict.

4. Single Plot / One Incident

A short story usually focuses on one main incident or conflict. There are no subplots or side stories like in a novel.

In An Astrologer’s Day, the entire plot revolves around one incident—the meeting between the astrologer and the stranger.
In The Lament, the plot centres on Iona’s repeated attempts to share his grief after his son’s death.
In The Last Leaf, the plot develops around one incident—Johnsy’s belief that she will die when the last leaf falls.

This single-incident structure gives the story clarity and strong impact.

5. Unity of Time, Place, and Action

A short story generally maintains unity of time, place, and action. The events happen in a short time, in one main location, and follow one purpose.

In An Astrologer’s Day, the story takes place at one location near the temple during a single evening.
In The Lament, the story happens on the streets of a city during one night.
In The Last Leaf, most events occur inside or around the small apartment during a short period of illness.

This unity gives the story a tight and well-organised structure.

6. Strong Beginning and Quick Ending

A short story begins immediately without a long introduction and ends quickly with a meaningful or surprising conclusion.

An Astrologer’s Day starts directly with the astrologer opening his stall and ends suddenly with his relief and self-realisation.
The Lament begins with Iona searching for someone to talk to and ends quietly when he speaks to his horse, which deepens the sadness.
The Last Leaf ends with a shocking revelation about Behrman’s sacrifice.

Such endings leave a lasting impression on the reader.

7. Creation of Mood or Effect

A good short story creates one strong emotional effect such as suspense, pity, sadness, hope, or shock.

An Astrologer’s Day creates suspense and relief.
The Lament creates deep pity and sadness.
The Last Leaf creates hope mixed with emotional pain and admiration.

This single emotional effect is the heart of a short story.

8. Use of Imagination and Creativity

Though short, a short story uses imagination, symbolism, and creative situations to make the narrative powerful.

In An Astrologer’s Day, the astrologer’s dramatic appearance and clever guessing show creative storytelling.
In The Lament, Chekhov uses a simple horse as a symbol of silent compassion.
In The Last Leaf, the painted leaf becomes a powerful symbol of hope and life.

Creative elements make these stories memorable and meaningful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a short story is marked by short length, a single theme, limited characters, one main incident, unity of time and place, a strong beginning, a quick ending, a single emotional effect, and creative imagination. An Astrologer’s Day, The Lament, and The Last Leaf clearly show all these characteristics and are excellent examples of the short story as a literary form.

 

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs with Answers)

1. A short story generally has how many words?

a) 50,000
b) 1,000–5,000
c) 10,000–20,000
d) 60,000
Answer: b) 1,000–5,000

2. A short story focuses on a ____ theme.

a) Double
b) Multiple
c) Single
d) No
Answer: c) Single

3. Which of the following is true about short stories?

a) Many subplots
b) Long descriptions
c) One main incident
d) Many characters
Answer: c) One main incident

4. A short story contains ____ characters.

a) Unlimited
b) Several major
c) Only limited
d) Twenty or more
Answer: c) Only limited

5. The ending of a short story is usually ____

a) Very long
b) Sudden and effective
c) Without meaning
d) Not important
Answer: b) Sudden and effective

6. The central idea of a short story is called its ____

a) Plot
b) Theme
c) Setting
d) Dialogue
Answer: b) Theme

7. The emotional atmosphere created in a story is its ____

a) Mood
b) Character
c) Style
d) Setting
Answer: a) Mood

8. The time and place of a story is called ____

a) Character
b) Plot
c) Setting
d) Theme
Answer: c) Setting

9. Which of these is a feature of a short story?

a) Unity of time and place
b) Multiple themes
c) Complex structure
d) Long introductions
Answer: a) Unity of time and place

10. The most important quality of a short story is ____

a) Confusion
b) Emotional effect
c) Length
d) Number of characters
Answer: b) Emotional effect


2. Elements of Short Story

Every short story has five main elements. These elements work together to make the story complete, meaningful, and interesting.

The five elements are:

  1. Plot

  2. Characters

  3. Setting

  4. Theme

  5. Point of View

1. Plot (What Happens in the Story)

The plot is the sequence of events.
It shows what happens first, what happens next, and how the story ends.

A short story usually has five parts:

a. Exposition (Introduction)

This part introduces the characters, situation, and sometimes the setting.

Example from “The Last Leaf”:
We meet Sue and Johnsy, two young artists who live together. Johnsy is seriously ill with pneumonia.

b. Rising Action

The problem becomes more serious.
Tension and curiosity increase.

Example:
Johnsy believes she will die when the last ivy leaf falls from the vine. Sue becomes worried as Johnsy loses hope.

c. Climax

The most exciting or emotional moment.
The turning point of the story.

Example:
A stormy night passes, and Johnsy expects the last leaf to fall—but it doesn’t. She is surprised to see it still on the wall.

d. Falling Action

Events after the climax.
Things begin to move toward the ending.

Example:
Johnsy slowly regains hope and decides to fight her illness because the last leaf did not fall.

e. Resolution (Conclusion)

The final outcome.
The problem is solved or explained.

Example:
Sue tells Johnsy that Behrman, their elderly neighbour, painted the last leaf on the wall in the stormy night. He caught pneumonia and died, sacrificing his life to save Johnsy.

✔ What we learn

The plot should be simple, clear, and based on one main incident.

2. Characters 

Characters are the people, animals, or beings who take part in the story.

There are three types:

a. Protagonist (Main Character)

The central character of the story.
The story revolves around this person.

Example:
In The Last Leaf, Johnsy is the protagonist because the story focuses on her illness and her thoughts.

b. Antagonist (Opposing Force)

The force that creates problems for the protagonist.
This may be a person, situation, or inner weakness.

Example:
In this story, the antagonist is Johnsy’s hopelessness and the illness (pneumonia), not a person.

c. Minor Characters

Characters who support the main story.
They help develop the plot and theme.

Examples:

  • Doctor –

  • Behrman – the old artist who sacrifices his life

✔ In a short story

  • Characters are few

  • They are shown through actions, dialogue, and behaviour

3. Setting (Where and When the Story Happens)

Setting includes:

  1. Place – Where the events happen

  2. Time – When the events happen

  3. Environment – Weather, social conditions, and atmosphere

Example from “The Last Leaf”

  • Place: A small apartment in Greenwich Village, New York

  • Time: The autumn season (cold months), early 1900s

  • Environment:

    • A dangerous pneumonia outbreak

    • Cold weather

    • Ivy vine outside the window creating suspense

✔ Why Setting is Important?

  • Helps the reader visualize the story

  • Builds the mood (sadness, fear, hope, etc.)

  • Supports the theme and emotions

4. Theme (Central Idea or Message)

The theme is the main idea or lesson of the story.
It answers: What is the story really about?

Examples from “The Last Leaf”

  1. Hope – Even when life feels dark, hope can save us.

  2. Sacrifice – Behrman risks his life to save Johnsy.

  3. Friendship – Sue’s care and support for Johnsy.

  4. Human Kindness – The story shows deep compassion between people.

✔ Themes in short stories are universal.

They talk about common human experiences:

  • Love

  • Courage

  • Death

  • Sacrifice

  • Greed

  • Honesty

  • Betrayal

  • Kindness

5. Point of View (Who Tells the Story?)

Point of View (POV) is the narrator’s position from which the story is told.

There are three common types:

a. First-Person Point of View

The narrator is inside the story.
Uses I, me, my.

b. Second-Person Point of View

Uses you (rare in literature).

c. Third-Person Point of View

The narrator is outside the story.
Uses he, she, they.

Two types of third-person:

  1. Limited – Narrator knows the thoughts of only one character.

  2. Omniscient – Narrator knows the thoughts of all characters.

Example from “The Last Leaf”

The story is told in third-person omniscient point of view.
The narrator knows the feelings of:

  • Johnsy

  • Sue

  • Behrman

This helps the reader understand the emotional depth of the story.

MCQs: Elements of a Short Story

1. Which of the following is NOT an element of a short story?

a) Plot
b) Characters
c) Theme
d) ✔ Meter

2. The plot of a short story mainly refers to:

a) Description of characters
b) ✔ Sequence of events in the story
c) Moral of the story
d) Language style

3. Which part of the plot introduces characters and situation?

a) Climax
b) Falling Action
c) ✔ Exposition
d) Resolution

4. In The Last Leaf, Johnsy believes she will die during which stage of the plot?

a) Exposition
b) ✔ Rising Action
c) Falling Action
d) Resolution

5. The most exciting and turning point of a story is called:

a) Exposition
b) Rising Action
c) ✔ Climax
d) Resolution

6. The main character of a short story is known as the:

a) Antagonist
b) Minor character
c) ✔ Protagonist
d) Narrator

7. In The Last Leaf, which of the following acts as the antagonist?

a) Sue
b) Behrman
c) ✔ Johnsy’s hopelessness and illness
d) Doctor

8. The setting of a story includes:

a) Only the place
b) Only the time
c) Only the characters
d) ✔ Place, time, and environment

9. Which theme is most strongly shown in The Last Leaf?

a) Greed
b) Betrayal
c) ✔ Hope and Sacrifice
d) Revenge

10. The Last Leaf is written in which point of view?

a) First-person
b) Second-person
c) Third-person limited
d) ✔ Third-person omniscient


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tribute to Papa" by Mamta Kalia

-
  About the Author: Mamta Kalia Mamta Kalia (b. 1940) is a renowned Indian poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright , writing mainly in Hindi and English. She is known for her bold, witty, and ironic style , often addressing issues of middle-class life , urban existence , women's struggles , and family dynamics . Her works reflect realistic , sometimes rebellious emotions , and challenge traditional values . Some of her major works include Bekhabar Nagri , Dukkham Sukkham , Suno Kahani , and Idiot Box . In English, her poems, like "Tribute to Papa," reflect youthful anger against parental authority and social expectations . She has been awarded prestigious awards like the Vyas Samman and the Sahitya Akademi Award . 2. Detailed Summary: "Tribute to Papa" "Tribute to Papa" is a dramatic monologue where the daughter speaks to her father, expressing frustration, rebellion, and disappointment . The speaker feels that her fath...
Read more

"Feeding the Poor at Christmas" by Eunice de Souza

-
  1. About the Author: Eunice de Souza Eunice de Souza (1940–2017) was a well-known Indian English poet , novelist, and academic from Goa, India. She was recognized for her sharp, direct, and often ironic style . De Souza's poetry often addresses social issues , women’s experiences , and the hypocrisies of society with wit and bitterness . Some of her famous poetry collections include Fix , Women in Dutch Painting , and Learn From the Almond Leaf . Her work reflects her Catholic upbringing , Goan roots , and a strong feminist voice . She also wrote children’s books and edited several anthologies of Indian English poetry. 2. Detailed Summary: "Feeding the Poor at Christmas" This poem is a satirical commentary on the false charity and superficial kindness shown by the rich towards the poor during Christmas . The speaker describes how every Christmas , the wealthy organize an event to "feed the poor" . However, their attitude is far from genu...
Read more

The Lament by Anton Chekhov

-
    The Lament by Anton Chekhov About the Author: Anton Pavlovich Chekhov Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) was a Russian playwright and short story writer who is considered one of the greatest writers of short fiction in history. Trained as a doctor, Chekhov began writing to support his family. He is known for his keen observations of human behavior and his ability to portray deep emotions and complex characters using simple language and subtle storytelling. His stories often explore themes such as loneliness, poverty, and the human condition. Some of his most famous works include The Cherry Orchard , Uncle Vanya , The Seagull , and The Lady with the Dog . Chekhov’s writing is marked by realism, compassion, and a deep understanding of the struggles of ordinary people. In "The Lament" , he presents a touching portrayal of a grieving man and the indifference of the world around him. Characters in “The Lament” Iona Potapov – The central character, an old cab driver (s...
Read more