Short Story Collection Discussion Questions

Select a story to view the corresponding discussion questions.

Bread Overhead

The Butterfly's Ball

Counterparts

Life

Measure for Measure

My Own True Ghost Story

The Nightingale and the Rose

A Pair of Silk Stockings

Whose Dog?

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Bread Overhead

1. Can you imagine a future where the process of making bread is entirely automated? Do you think this would make bread taste better or worse?
2. What is your favorite type of bread?
3. Do you like having a variety of different bread to choose from or would you prefer a smaller selection?

The Butterfly's Ball

1. Do you think the author is alluding to a real event or is simply creating a broad narrative to showcase a whimsical scenario?
2. Do you feel this tale can be construed as a cautionary tale? If so, what do you feel the message is?
3. The snail is the only creature that is mentioned twice in the initial poem. Why do you feel that it was emphasized more than the other creatures in the poem?

Counterparts

1. Farrington goes to the extreme of pawning his watch to afford a drink. Do you feel by the end of the night that Farrington feels any regret?
2. Farrington seems to view everything that he faces as an obstacle holding him back from success. Do you view obstacles in your life as a hindrance or simply new challenges to overcome?
3. The author frequently refers to Farrington simply as "the man" throughout the story. What do you feel was the intention of using this literary device?

Life

1. Do you ever feel like the man in the street? Do you feel that your soul is "awake" unlike the walkers on the streets?
2. Do you feel that the writer views the people on the street as no better than the lice?
3. Do you think we are all condemned to become the beggar by the end of our lives?

Measure for Measure

1. Angelo's condemnation of Claudio is clearly unjust, as is his price to spare his life. If you were put in the same situation as Isabella, would you marry Angelo to save your brother's life?
2. Have you ever put someone in a position of power that they couldn't be trusted with? If you were put in the situation that the duke is in, do you think you would try to teach Angelo a lesson, or simply rebuke his power outright?
3. Do you feel that the punishments laid out by the duke at the end were fair? Do you think they were too harsh or not harsh enough?

My Own True Ghost Story

1. Have you ever feared something that you later determined was never a threat?
2. When reading the description of the bungalow which aspect of the location do you find most unsettling?
3. Do you believe in ghosts and, if so, have you ever seen a ghost?

The Nightingale and the Rose

1. Do you feel that the nightingale's sacrifice was wasted?
2. Do you think the story emphasizes that true love isn't real or is simply insinuating that materialism destroys love?
3. The author alludes to the fact that sacrifices must be made to create true art. Have you ever created a piece of art that you felt like you poured your heart into?

A Pair of Silk Stockings

1. Do you think Mrs. Sommers has misplaced priorities when she seems to put herself before her children?
2. Is there a time when you took advantage of a situation without thinking about the repercussions? How did you feel, and do you think that Mrs. Sommers may have felt the same way?
3. What do you feel the man on the cable car was thinking when he was looking at her, and what do you think this symbolizes?

Whose Dog?

1. Do you think it was a dog or just a turtle that was tied to the post?
2. Why do you think John dove into the water and why do you think he told the boys that he was going to die?
3. Do you think that John was truly crazy?