The Story of an Hour (1894, 1895) by Kate Chopin
This dramatic short story -- an early entrant in feminist literature -- was very controversial when published in 1894. It suggests a possibility that people of that era were more comfortable rejecting rather than considering. The story still has the power to make modern readers uncomfortable. But please note that it is possible and sometimes even desirable to criticize an aspect of something to point out a nuanced feature; a quick mind can illuminate part of an arrangement without condemning the entire arrangement. I believe that is what Chopin did here. This suspenseful and climactic story will take you on an emotional journey. Study Guide
The Luck of Roaring Camp (1868) by Bret Harte
The hard-luck life of hard-hearted miners changes with the birth of Thomas Luck who draws on the heart strings of the rough and tumble miners of Roaring Camp. Featured in our Civil War Stories
Regret (1897) by Kate Chopin
A beautiful story hinting at the depths of a woman's emotional complexity. A great short story, one that could easily be misunderstood by modern feminists.
The Skylight Room (1906) by O. Henry
This one was selected for its simple poignancy.
A Horseman in the Sky (1889) by Ambrose Bierce
Another interesting story from Ambrose Bierce. This one is also set during the American Civil War. I classify this one under man versus himself. Study Guide
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1820) by Washington Irving
One of the early American classics, and don't forget its famous companion Rip Van Winkle.
My Kinsman, Major Molineux (1832), Young Goodman Brown (1835), and The Minister's Black Veil (1832) by Nathaniel Hawthorne
All three of these stories are important examples of Hawthorne's contribution to the genre of Dark Romanticism, and should be read. The first one is my favorite of the three. If you are having trouble understanding the stories, it might be helpful to visit Hawthorne's Home Page for some background, and The Minister's Black Veil Study Guide
The Cactus (1882) by O. Henry
A classic dose of O. Henry coming straight at you. Short and direct. Communication is important.
