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Great American Short Stories

Pages
511
Published
1962
Language
English

Synopsis

This collection gathers some of the most celebrated short stories from American literature. Featuring iconic tales like 'Rip Van Winkle' and 'The Fall of the House of Usher,' it explores diverse themes and settings across the nation. Discover enduring narratives that have shaped the landscape of American fiction.

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Characters

Rip Van WinkleProtagonist

A good-natured but lazy villager who falls asleep in the Catskill Mountains and wakes up twenty years later to a changed world.

Roderick UsherProtagonist

The last male heir of the Usher family, suffering from a mysterious illness that heightens his senses and leads to his mental and physical decline.

Goodman BrownProtagonist

A young Puritan man who ventures into the forest at night and encounters a satanic ritual, leading to a loss of faith and a lifetime of suspicion.

Lady Madeline UsherSupporting

Roderick Usher's twin sister, who suffers from catalepsy and is seemingly buried alive, contributing to the gothic horror of the tale.

Faith BrownSupporting

Goodman Brown's innocent wife, whose pink ribbons symbolize his initial faith and purity.

All characters in Great American Short Stories