Top 10 Short Stories By English Authors

Charles Dickens – The Signalman

The Signal-Man is a short story by Charles Dickens, first published in 1866. It is a ghost story set in a railway signal box, and tells the tale of a signalman who is haunted by a phantom figure that appears to him before a fatal accident.

The story is told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator who meets the signalman while walking along a railway line. The signalman tells the narrator that he has been seeing a ghost for several months. The ghost is that of a man who was killed in a railway accident, and it appears to the signalman before every accident. The signalman believes that the ghost is trying to warn him about a future accident, but he is unable to prevent it.

The story is a classic example of a ghost story, and it has been adapted for film and television several times. It is a suspenseful and atmospheric tale that explores the themes of death, loss, and the supernatural.

Here are some of the key themes of The Signal-Man:

Death and loss: The story is haunted by the specter of death, and the signalman's fear of death is a central theme. The story also explores the loss of loved ones, and the pain and grief that can result from such loss.

The supernatural: The story is a ghost story, and the specter that haunts the signalman is a supernatural being. The story explores the nature of the supernatural, and the possibility of ghosts and other paranormal phenomena.

Fate and free will: The story raises the question of whether or not fate is predetermined. The signalman believes that the ghost is trying to warn him about a future accident, but he is unable to prevent it. This suggests that fate may be predetermined, and that we may not have free will.

The power of storytelling: The story is told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator, who is listening to the signalman's story. The power of storytelling is evident in the way that the signalman's story is able to move the narrator. The story suggests that storytelling can be a powerful way to connect with others and to share our experiences.

The Signal-Man is a classic ghost story that is still relevant today. It is a suspenseful and atmospheric tale that explores the themes of death, loss, the supernatural, fate, and free will. The story is a powerful reminder of the power of storytelling, and the way that stories can connect us with others and share our experiences.

George Eliot – The Lifted Veil

The Lifted Veil is a novella by George Eliot, first published in 1859. It is a story about a young man named Latimer who is born with the ability to see the future. This ability is a curse, as it allows him to see the pain and suffering that will befall the people he loves. Latimer is unable to prevent this suffering, and he eventually comes to believe that life is not worth living. He commits suicide at the end of the story.

The story is narrated by Latimer, who begins by telling us about his childhood. He was born with a weak constitution, and he was often sickly. He also had a strange ability to see the future. As a child, he would often see visions of people dying. These visions were always accurate, and they terrified Latimer.

As Latimer grew older, his ability to see the future became more pronounced. He could see the future of people he knew, as well as strangers. He could also see his own future. This ability made Latimer a pariah. People were afraid of him, and they thought he was possessed by the devil.

Latimer eventually came to believe that his ability to see the future was a curse. He could see the pain and suffering that would befall the people he loved, but he was powerless to prevent it. This knowledge made Latimer despair, and he eventually came to believe that life was not worth living. He committed suicide at the end of the story.

The Lifted Veil is a dark and disturbing story, but it is also a powerful and thought-provoking one. It explores the nature of reality, the power of knowledge, and the meaning of life. The story is a reminder that even the most seemingly insignificant events can have a profound impact on our lives.

Here are some of the key themes of The Lifted Veil:

The nature of reality: The story raises the question of whether or not reality is as it seems. Latimer's ability to see the future suggests that there is more to reality than what we can see and touch.

The power of knowledge: Latimer's ability to see the future is a curse, as it allows him to see the pain and suffering that will befall the people he loves. This suggests that knowledge can be a dangerous thing, and that it is not always desirable to know what the future holds.

The meaning of life: The Lifted Veil is a story about the search for meaning in life. Latimer's inability to prevent the suffering that he sees in the future leads him to believe that life is not worth living. This suggests that the meaning of life may be found in the simple things, and that it is important to cherish the moments we have with the people we love.

The Lifted Veil is a complex and challenging story, but it is also a rewarding one. It is a story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. 

Rudyard Kipling – They

“They” is a short story by Rudyard Kipling, first published in 1904. It is a story about a motorist who loses his way and stops at a mansion to get directions. Getting out of his car, he sees two children in an upper window and hears a child's laughter in the garden before a woman approaches him. After talking with her, he realizes she is blind.

The story is told from the perspective of the motorist, who is never named. He is a successful man who is used to getting his own way. He is also a man who is haunted by the loss of his own child.

When he arrives at the mansion, he is immediately drawn to the children in the window. He sees them as a reminder of his own child, and he is filled with a sense of longing. He also hears the sound of children's laughter in the garden, and this sound further intensifies his grief.

The woman who approaches him is the owner of the mansion. She is also blind, and she is able to sense the motorist's grief. She tells him that the children in the window are hers, but that they are not really there. She says that they are "They," a race of beings who live in the shadows and who are drawn to grief and loss.

The motorist is initially skeptical of the woman's story, but he is eventually convinced. He comes to believe that "They" are real, and that they are a reminder of the dark side of human nature. He also comes to believe that "They" are a force for good, as they help us to confront our grief and loss.

The story ends with the motorist driving away from the mansion. He is still haunted by the loss of his child, but he is also grateful for the woman's story. He knows that "They" are real, and he knows that they will always be there to help him.

“They” is a complex and thought-provoking story. It explores the themes of grief, loss, and the nature of evil. It is also a story about the power of storytelling, and the way that stories can help us to confront our darkest fears.

Here are some of the key themes of “They”:

Grief and loss: The story is about a man who is haunted by the loss of his child. The story explores the different ways that people cope with grief, and the way that grief can shape our lives.

The nature of evil: The story introduces the concept of "They," a race of beings who live in the shadows and who are drawn to grief and loss. The story explores the nature of evil, and the way that evil can exist in the world.

The power of storytelling: The story is told from the perspective of the motorist, who is never named. The story is a reminder of the power of storytelling, and the way that stories can help us to confront our darkest fears.

Virginia Woolf – An Unwritten Novel

An Unwritten Novel is a short story by Virginia Woolf, first published in 1921. It is a story about a woman who is on a train journey and starts to imagine the lives of the other passengers.

The story is told from the perspective of the woman, who is never named. She is a middle-aged woman who is traveling on a train from London to the south coast. She is sitting in a carriage with four other passengers: a young woman, a middle-aged man, an elderly woman, and a child.

The woman starts to imagine the lives of the other passengers. She imagines that the young woman is a student who is going home for the holidays. She imagines that the middle-aged man is a businessman who is traveling for work. She imagines that the elderly woman is a widow who is going to visit her son. And she imagines that the child is a boy who is going on holiday with his parents.

The woman's imagination is sparked by the smallest of details. She sees the young woman reading a book, and she imagines that the book is a love story. She sees the middle-aged man looking out the window, and she imagines that he is thinking about his work. She sees the elderly woman knitting, and she imagines that she is knitting a scarf for her grandson. And she sees the child playing with a toy train, and she imagines that he is dreaming of faraway places.

The woman's imagination allows her to connect with the other passengers on a deeper level. She sees them not as strangers, but as people with their own hopes, dreams, and fears. She sees them as fellow travelers on the journey of life.

An Unwritten Novel is a short story, but it is a powerful one. It is a story about the power of imagination, and the way that imagination can help us to connect with the people around us.

Here are some of the key themes of An Unwritten Novel:

The power of imagination: The story is about a woman who uses her imagination to connect with the other passengers on a train journey. The story shows how imagination can help us to see the world in new ways, and to connect with the people around us.

The importance of empathy: The story is about a woman who learns to see the world through the eyes of the other passengers. The story shows how empathy is important, and how it can help us to understand the people around us.

The beauty of ordinary life: The story is about a woman who finds beauty in the ordinary things in life, such as the young woman reading a book, the middle-aged man looking out the window, the elderly woman knitting, and the child playing with a toy train. The story shows how beauty can be found in the simplest of things.

Mary Shelley – The Mortal Immortal

"The Mortal Immortal" is a short story by Mary Shelley, first published in 1833. It tells the story of a man named Winzy, who drinks an elixir which makes him immortal. At first, immortality appears to promise him eternal tranquility. However, it soon becomes apparent that he is cursed to endure eternal psychological torture, as everything he loves dies around him.

The story begins with Winzy, a young man of 20, who is apprenticed to the alchemist Cornelius Agrippa. Winzy is in love with a young woman named Bertha, but he is poor and she is wealthy. Winzy believes that if he could only become rich, Bertha would marry him.

One day, Agrippa gives Winzy a potion, which he says is a "philter to cure love." Winzy drinks the potion, but instead of curing his love for Bertha, it makes him immortal. Winzy is overjoyed at first, but he soon realizes that immortality is not all it is cracked up to be.

As Winzy watches his friends and loved ones die, he begins to feel increasingly isolated and alone. He realizes that he will never be able to experience the joys of love and family, because he will outlive everyone he cares about.

Winzy eventually comes to the conclusion that immortality is a curse, not a blessing. He tries to find a way to end his life, but he is unable to do so. He is condemned to live forever, alone and in pain.

The story of "The Mortal Immortal" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of immortality. It shows that immortality is not the answer to all of life's problems, and that it can actually lead to a great deal of suffering.

The story also explores the themes of love, loss, and isolation. It shows how these themes can be amplified by immortality, and how they can lead to a life of despair.

"The Mortal Immortal" is a powerful and thought-provoking story that explores the dark side of immortality. It is a reminder that there is no such thing as a perfect life, and that even the greatest gifts can be turned into curses.

D H Lawrence – The Rocking Horse Winner

The Rocking-Horse Winner is a short story by D. H. Lawrence, first published in 1926. It tells the story of a young boy named Paul who lives with his mother and sister in a large house in England. The family is wealthy, but Paul's mother is obsessed with money and constantly worries about losing it. Paul is sensitive to his mother's anxiety and begins to have visions of horses winning horse races. He uses these visions to win money for his mother, but he eventually dies from exhaustion.

The story explores the themes of materialism, greed, and the dangers of obsession. Lawrence suggests that money cannot buy happiness and that it can actually lead to unhappiness. He also suggests that obsession can be destructive.

The Rocking-Horse Winner is a powerful and disturbing story that has been praised for its insight into the human psyche. It has been adapted for film and television several times.

Here are some of the key themes of the story:

Materialism: The story explores the dangers of materialism and the idea that money cannot buy happiness.

Greed: The story shows how greed can lead to destructive behavior.

Obsession: The story shows how obsession can be harmful and even deadly.

The human psyche: The story provides insights into the human psyche, particularly the relationship between children and their parents.

The Rocking-Horse Winner is a complex and thought-provoking story that has been interpreted in many different ways. It is a classic of modern literature that continues to be read and studied today.

Saki – The Interlopers

The Interlopers is a short story by Saki, first published in 1919. It tells the story of two men, Ulrich von Gradwitz and Georg Znaeym, who have been feuding for generations. One night, they meet in the forest, each armed with a gun, intent on killing the other. However, when they find themselves face to face, they are unable to shoot. Instead, they are trapped together by a falling tree. As they wait for help to arrive, they begin to talk and realize that they have more in common than they thought. They eventually come to a truce and agree to end the feud.

The story is a satire of the futility of hatred and the power of forgiveness. It shows how even the most bitter enemies can find common ground if they are willing to listen to each other. The story also explores the themes of nature, fate, and the human condition.

Here are some of the key themes of the story:

Hatred: The story shows how hatred can be destructive and how it can prevent people from seeing the good in each other.

Forgiveness: The story shows how forgiveness can be healing and how it can open up new possibilities.

Nature: The story shows how nature can be a force of both destruction and healing.

Fate: The story suggests that fate may play a role in human events, but that people still have the power to choose their own destiny.

The human condition: The story explores the human condition and the universal themes of love, hate, forgiveness, and redemption.

The Interlopers is a classic short story that has been praised for its wit, satire, and insights into the human condition. It is a story that continues to be read and enjoyed by readers today.

Joseph Conrad – The Informer

The Informer is a short story by Joseph Conrad, first published in 1906. It tells the story of an informer named Micky Madden, who is caught between two worlds: the world of the anarchists he works for and the world of the police he informs on.

The story opens with Madden visiting the narrator, an English collector of antiques. Madden is a small, wiry man with a limp and a nervous laugh. He tells the narrator that he is in danger and needs his help. He says that he has been working for the anarchists for some time, but that he is now planning to betray them to the police.

The narrator is reluctant to help Madden, but he eventually agrees. He provides Madden with a place to hide and helps him to contact the police. The police arrest the anarchists, and Madden is hailed as a hero.

However, Madden's newfound fame is short-lived. The anarchists are eventually released from jail, and they vow to get revenge on Madden. They track him down and kill him.

The Informer is a dark and disturbing story that explores the themes of betrayal, revenge, and the dangers of living in a world where there is no trust. It is a story that has been praised for its realism and its insights into the human psyche.

Here are some of the key themes of the story:

Betrayal: The story explores the theme of betrayal and how it can destroy relationships and lives.

Revenge: The story shows how revenge can be a destructive force that can lead to violence and death.

Trust: The story shows how a world without trust can be a dangerous and unstable place.

Realism: The story is realistic in its portrayal of the world of the anarchists and the police.

Insights into the human psyche: The story provides insights into the human psyche, particularly the nature of betrayal and revenge.

The Informer is a classic short story that has been praised for its realism, its insights into the human psyche, and its dark and disturbing themes. It is a story that continues to be read and enjoyed by readers today.

Elizabeth Gaskell – The Old Nurses Story

The Old Nurse's Story is a short story by Elizabeth Gaskell, first published in 1852. It tells the story of a young girl named Rosamond who is orphaned and sent to live with her aunt, Miss Furnivall, in an old manor house. Rosamond soon begins to experience strange and unsettling events, including the sound of an organ playing in the locked-up east wing of the house and the appearance of a ghostly little girl. 

The story is told from the perspective of Rosamond's nurse, who believes that the events are the result of a curse placed on the house by Miss Furnivall's dead sister. The nurse tells Rosamond the story of her sister, who was a beautiful and talented woman who was loved by many. However, she was also proud and arrogant, and she eventually fell in love with a man who was beneath her station. When her family refused to accept him, she eloped with him and was disowned. She died shortly after, leaving behind a young daughter.

The nurse believes that the curse was placed on the house because of Miss Furnivall's anger and bitterness at the loss of her sister. She tells Rosamond that the only way to break the curse is to find the little girl and help her to find peace.

Rosamond eventually finds the little girl, who turns out to be Miss Furnivall's dead niece. She helps the little girl to find peace by telling her stories and singing her songs. The little girl eventually disappears, and the curse is broken.

The Old Nurse's Story is a classic ghost story that explores the themes of family, love, loss, and redemption. It is a story that has been praised for its atmosphere, its suspense, and its emotional impact.

Here are some of the key themes of the story:

Family: The story explores the importance of family and the bonds that tie us together.

Love: The story shows the power of love to overcome even the greatest obstacles.

Loss: The story explores the pain of loss and the difficulty of moving on.

Redemption: The story shows that even the most damaged people can find redemption.

Atmosphere: The story creates a sense of suspense and foreboding that builds throughout the story.

Suspense: The story keeps the reader guessing until the very end.

Emotional impact: The story is emotionally powerful and has been known to make even the most hardened reader cry.

Thomas Hardy – Fiddler on the reels

"The Fiddler of the Reels" is a short story by Thomas Hardy, first published in Scribner's Magazine in 1893. It is set in rural England and tells the story of a young woman named Car'line Aspent who is seduced by a traveling fiddler named Wat Ollamoor. Car'line is married to Ned Hipcroft, a local mechanic, but she is unhappy in her marriage and is easily swayed by Wat's charm.

Wat is a mysterious figure who comes to the village without any known past or family. He is a talented fiddler and quickly wins the hearts of the villagers with his music. He is also a handsome man with a way with women. Car'line is quickly smitten with him and soon begins an affair.

The affair is short-lived, however, and Wat soon leaves the village. Car'line is left pregnant and alone. She eventually gives birth to a son, but she is never able to forget Wat. She spends the rest of her life waiting for him to return, but he never does.

"The Fiddler of the Reels" is a story about the power of music and the destructive power of love. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting your emotions get the best of you. The story is also a meditation on the nature of fate and free will.

Here are some of the key themes of the story:

The power of music: The story shows how music can be a powerful force that can both bring people together and tear them apart.

The destructive power of love: The story shows how love can be a destructive force that can lead to pain and heartbreak.

The dangers of letting your emotions get the best of you: The story shows how letting your emotions get the best of you can lead to bad decisions that can have lasting consequences.

Fate and free will: The story explores the question of whether we are in control of our own destinies or whether we are at the mercy of fate.

"The Fiddler of the Reels" is a classic short story by Thomas Hardy. It is a well-written and emotionally powerful story that explores the themes of love, loss, and fate. The story is a must-read for fans of Hardy and of short stories in general.