The method of storytelling can vary, even though all stories contain elements such as plots and characters. For instance, fables like W. Somerset Maugham’s “An Appointment in Samarra” often convey a moral, while short stories like Amy Tan’s “A Pair of Tickets” prompt readers to reflect on the narrative.
Fables are short stories that use unrealistic characters such as animals and objects with human characteristics. Their ultimate goal is to present the reader with a moral lesson. In “An Appointment in Samarra,” Maugham does not explicitly state the moral, but it can easily be interpreted as “You can never escape Death.” Despite being only a paragraph long, this fable has a plot and a clear moral message.
In fables, characters are often unrealistic, such as talking animals or objects. However, in this particular story, human characters are used metaphorically to convey the moral, which is a characteristic of fables. The narrator of the story is Death, portrayed by Maugham as a woman. Maugham chooses to present the story in a literal manner in order to enhance the readers’ comprehension of the moral. It is simpler to imagine physically escaping from a person rather than escaping from an act like death.
At the end of the story, Death reveals that he had a scheduled meeting with the servant in Samarra, which surprises the reader. This is because Samarra is the place the servant fled to in order to escape Death. Fables like “An Appointment in Samarra” have endured because they are concise and can be easily retold, remaining relevant and timeless in their ability to convey moral lessons. Although the moral of the story is not explicitly stated in the same way as it is in Aesop’s fables, it is nevertheless easily comprehensible to readers.
Unlike “An Appointment in Samarra”, “A Pair of Tickets” is a short story written in 1989 by Amy Tan. Instead of focusing on a moral, Tan emphasizes the story itself through the use of characters, settings, dialogues, and descriptive writing. In this short story, Tan creates endearing and comforting characters as well as a captivating setting. She presents the cultural elements that are passed down and lost between generations. The story is narrated by June May, a 36-year-old woman who is visiting China for the first time with her father, Canning Woo, in order to fulfill her mother Suyuan’s wish of returning home.
June May, who was raised in California, has a more American perspective compared to her recently deceased mother. Her mother always believed that June May would eventually reconnect with her cultural heritage, as she once told her, “Someday you will see, It is in your blood, waiting to be let go” (Tan, 145). The story primarily takes place in China, playing a significant role in June May’s transition from an American identity to a Chinese one.
Upon entering China on her train, June May begins to experience a transformation. She describes, “I can feel the skin on my forehead tingling, my blood rushing through a new course, my bones aching with a familiar old pain” (Tan, 145). This visit to China confirms her mother’s belief that her Chinese culture is deeply rooted within her, waiting to be revealed. Tan’s use of descriptive writing adds a poetic tone to the story. She vividly portrays June May’s half sisters, who were abandoned by her mother on the side of the road nearly four decades ago during a time of war in China.
June May’s father explains the significance of her sister’s names: “One signifies ‘Spring Rain,’ while the other represents ‘Spring Flower'” (Tan, 153). These names evoke imagery of poetry or a melodic tune, creating an impression of the sisters as delicate and charming. Through the mere inclusion of these names in her narrative, Tan adds depth to the twin sisters, piquing our curiosity about June May’s connection with them. As June May and her sisters finally meet, they capture a moment with a Polaroid camera and patiently await its development. It is during this instant that they realize, when standing side by side, they possess a striking resemblance to their mother.
The author’s descriptive writing in “A Pair of Tickets” creates a vivid image of the characters realizing that their mother’s wish is a part of their union, even though she is not physically present. Amy Tan describes how their eyes and mouth open in surprise as they finally see her long-cherished wish come true (Tan, 157). This powerful portrayal shows us that it is not just the story itself, but also the way it is told, that makes it so memorable. In contrast to the straightforward plot of “An Appointment in Samarra”, “A Pair of Tickets” incorporates deep emotions and unforgettable characters to give us a glimpse into their lives.
Tan’s story includes a bonus narrative about June May’s mother’s decision to give up her twin daughters. According to June’s father, Canning, her mother made this choice almost four decades ago. “And without looking back, she walked down the road, stumbling and crying, thinking only of this one last hope, that her daughters would be found by a kindhearted person who would care for them” (Tan, 154). Canning recounts the hardships June’s mother faced as she fled with her babies. “Her shoulders ached from the two babies swinging from scarf slings.
Blisters formed on her palms after gripping two leather suitcases, a description that vividly conveys the physical toll of the difficult decision made by June May’s mother, Suyuan (Tan, 154). Ultimately, many readers find more appeal in narratives that feature relatable characters and challenges, as opposed to fables which employ cartoonish characters and straightforward moral lessons. Fables frequently employ unrealistic characters like talking animals or inanimate objects to convey the intended message of the story.
Short stories use believable characters to tell the story, sometimes leaving the meaning open to interpretation. Without good characters and great writing, a plot in a story is almost like a cake without icing. However, in the story “An Appointment in Samarra,” it is the moral that ultimately prompts analysis, despite the clear plot. Similarly, in “A Pair of Tickets,” the plot is clear but the story vividly presents realistic characters and struggles, encouraging readers to form their own conclusions.
