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Contemporary Short Story Characters

Description: Test your knowledge of contemporary short story characters and their defining traits.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: literature short stories character analysis
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In 'The Tell-Tale Heart', the unnamed narrator is characterized by his:

  1. Obsession with cleanliness

  2. Guilt-ridden conscience

  3. Irrational fear of the dark

  4. Compulsive need for control

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The narrator's guilt over murdering the old man drives him to confess his crime, despite his initial attempts to conceal it.

In 'The Lottery', Shirley Jackson portrays Tessie Hutchinson as:

  1. A defiant rebel against tradition

  2. A devoted wife and mother

  3. A victim of societal conformity

  4. A cunning manipulator of the lottery system

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Tessie's tragic fate illustrates the dangers of blindly following tradition and the devastating consequences it can have on individuals.

Which character in 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' embodies the theme of moral ambiguity:

  1. The grandmother

  2. The Misfit

  3. Bailey

  4. John Wesley

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Misfit's complex characterization challenges traditional notions of good and evil, blurring the lines between victim and perpetrator.

In 'Hills Like White Elephants', Hemingway's use of dialogue reveals the unspoken conflict between:

  1. A married couple on vacation

  2. A doctor and his patient

  3. Two strangers at a bar

  4. A father and his daughter

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The subtle dialogue between the man and the woman hints at a deeper emotional struggle related to an undisclosed decision.

In 'The Yellow Wallpaper', Charlotte Perkins Gilman explores the mental state of:

  1. A young artist struggling with creative block

  2. A woman confined to her room due to illness

  3. A housewife overwhelmed by domestic responsibilities

  4. A patient undergoing experimental treatment

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The story delves into the psychological deterioration of a woman isolated in her room, highlighting the impact of societal expectations on female identity.

In 'Cathedral', Raymond Carver's protagonist, Robert, initially views the blind man as:

  1. A burden and an inconvenience

  2. A source of pity and sympathy

  3. A fascinating subject for observation

  4. A potential friend and teacher

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Robert's initial perception of the blind man reflects his own prejudices and limited understanding, which gradually change throughout the story.

In 'The Things They Carried', Tim O'Brien's soldiers are haunted by the memories of:

  1. Their lost loved ones

  2. The horrors of war

  3. Their own mistakes and regrets

  4. The uncertainty of their future

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

O'Brien's characters are deeply affected by the psychological and emotional toll of war, which continues to haunt them long after the conflict has ended.

In 'The Joy Luck Club', Amy Tan explores the complex relationship between:

  1. Mothers and daughters

  2. Friends and family

  3. Strangers and acquaintances

  4. Teachers and students

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Tan's novel delves into the generational and cultural differences between Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters.

In 'Like Water for Chocolate', Laura Esquivel uses magical realism to portray the story of:

  1. A young woman's forbidden love

  2. A family's culinary traditions

  3. A town's political struggles

  4. A woman's spiritual journey

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Esquivel's novel blends reality and fantasy to explore the passionate and tumultuous love affair between Tita and Pedro.

In 'The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao', Junot Díaz creates a protagonist who is:

  1. A Dominican-American struggling with identity

  2. A baseball player with a promising career

  3. A political activist fighting for social justice

  4. A writer grappling with his family's history

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Díaz's novel explores Oscar's journey as he navigates his Dominican heritage, American upbringing, and personal struggles.

In 'The God of Small Things', Arundhati Roy's characters are affected by the:

  1. Social and political turmoil of India

  2. Harsh realities of poverty and inequality

  3. Consequences of forbidden love

  4. Struggle for independence and self-discovery

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Roy's novel centers around the tragic love story of Ammu and Velutha, highlighting the devastating impact of societal norms and prejudices.

In 'The Kite Runner', Khaled Hosseini explores the complex relationship between:

  1. A father and son

  2. Two brothers

  3. A master and servant

  4. A teacher and student

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Hosseini's novel delves into the strained relationship between Amir and Baba, examining themes of guilt, redemption, and the enduring bonds of family.

In 'The Namesake', Jhumpa Lahiri's protagonist, Gogol Ganguli, struggles with:

  1. His cultural identity as a Bengali-American

  2. The expectations of his traditional family

  3. The search for his own unique identity

  4. The pressures of academic success

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Lahiri's novel explores Gogol's journey as he grapples with his dual heritage and the challenges of assimilation in American society.

In 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian', Sherman Alexie's protagonist, Junior, faces:

  1. The challenges of growing up on a Native American reservation

  2. The struggles of poverty and discrimination

  3. The pressures of fitting in at a predominantly white school

  4. The search for his place in the world

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Alexie's novel offers a poignant portrayal of Junior's experiences as a Spokane Indian teenager living on the reservation.

In 'The Tiger's Wife', Téa Obreht's protagonist, Natalia, embarks on a journey to find:

  1. Her missing husband

  2. The truth about her family's past

  3. A cure for her mysterious illness

  4. A sense of belonging and purpose

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Obreht's novel follows Natalia's quest to uncover the secrets of her family's history, which are intertwined with the folklore and mythology of her Balkan homeland.

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