The short story is a concise form of narrative prose that is usually simpler and more direct compared to longer works of fiction such as novels. Therefore, because of their short length, short stories rely on many forms of literary devices to convey the idea of a uniform theme seen throughout the script. This theme is illustrated by using characteristics that are developed throughout the story such as, plot, setting and characters. The three main components are developed throughout the story in order to guide the reader to the underlying theme, which is necessary as a short story lacking a theme also lacks meaning or purpose.

The short story "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin uses characterization to identify the realization that tragedy and suffering can be transformed by a communal art, in this case, jazz music. The narrator in this story is Sonny's brother, an unnamed high school algebra teacher that has worked hard to attain the trappings of middle class success. Through......

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Title: Short Story Characteristics
Approximate Word Count: 656
Approximate Pages: 3 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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