The narrator's obsession with the old man's eye is a central theme in the story, symbolizing his guilt and paranoia.

Della is the protagonist of 'The Gift of the Magi', a young woman who sacrifices her prized possession to buy a Christmas gift for her husband.

Matilda's struggle with social class is the central conflict in 'The Necklace', as she desires to be part of the upper class and is willing to go to great lengths to achieve this.

Alice, the protagonist of 'The Yellow Wallpaper', is confined to a room by her husband, John, as a treatment for her postpartum depression.

The main theme of 'The Masque of the Red Death' is the inevitability of death, as represented by the Red Death, a plague that kills all who come into contact with it.

The narrator of 'A Rose for Emily' is a collective voice of the town gossips, who provide insights into Emily's life and the events surrounding her.

The rocking horse in 'The Rocking-Horse Winner' is a multi-faceted symbol that represents the boy's desire for wealth, his troubled childhood, and his way of escaping reality.

The annual lottery in 'The Lottery' is a ritualistic event in which one member of the community is chosen by random to be sacrificed.

The central theme of 'The Story of an Hour' is the joy of newfound freedom that the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard, experiences after learning of her husband's death.

Santiago is the protagonist of 'The Old Man and the Sea', an elderly fisherman who embarks on a solo journey to catch a giant marlin.

The color yellow in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' is a multi-faceted symbol that represents the narrator's madness, her entrapment, and her longing for freedom.

The narrator of 'The Tell-Tale Heart' is haunted by the sound of his own heart beating, which he believes is a sign of his guilt.

The main theme of 'The Gift of the Magi' is the power of love, as demonstrated by the sacrifices that Della and Jim make for each other.

Matilda Loisel is the protagonist of 'The Necklace', a young woman who is obsessed with material possessions and desires to be part of the upper class.

The central conflict in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' is the narrator's struggle with postpartum depression, her husband's controlling behavior, and the isolation of her room.