What are the good German short stories? Or rather, what are the classic short stories? Must be written by a German

Many German short stories are rich in symbolism. Take 'The Metamorphosis' again. The transformation of the protagonist into an insect can symbolize his alienation from society and his own self. Also, German short stories may have a strong sense of place and history, which is reflected in the settings and the cultural references within the stories.

German short stories often have a deep sense of introspection. They tend to explore complex human emotions and psychological states. For example, in Kafka's works, the characters are often in a state of inner turmoil.

Some must-read classic short stories include 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry and 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant. Both are beautifully written and offer deep insights.

Well, 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe is a great classic short story. It's a psychological thriller that dives deep into the mind of a madman. Then there's 'The Cask of Amontillado' also by Poe, which is a dark and suspenseful story of revenge. Also, 'To Build a Fire' by Jack London is a gripping tale about survival in the harsh Yukon.

One of the must - read classic short stories is 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton. It ends with an interesting moral dilemma that makes you think. 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' by Ambrose Bierce is also great. It plays with the concept of time and reality in a very engaging way. And don't forget 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Edgar Allan Poe, which is a dark story of revenge and betrayal.

One of the must - read stories could be 'The Gift of the Magi' in it. This story shows the selfless love between a young couple. They sacrifice their most precious possessions for each other.

One characteristic is their exploration of modern German identity. With Germany being a multicultural society now, these stories often deal with how different cultures interact and coexist within the country. Another is the use of vivid and detailed descriptions of the German landscape and urban settings. They also tend to have complex characters with internal conflicts.

A lesser - known but excellent German short story is 'The Jew's Beech' by Theodor Storm. It's set in a small town and revolves around a mystery related to a beech tree. The story is filled with beautiful descriptions of the landscape and a sense of melancholy, while also exploring themes of prejudice and hidden secrets within a community.

Famous German short stories often have complex characters. For example, in Kafka's works, the characters are often in absurd situations that reflect on the human condition. They also tend to explore deep psychological themes like alienation and the search for identity. The settings can be very detailed, whether it's a gloomy cityscape in Berlin or a small, idyllic German village.

Reading these short stories is a great way to build confidence in learning German. Since they are at A1 level, they are not overly difficult. This allows learners to feel that they can understand and engage with the German language. It also helps in improving reading comprehension skills which are essential for further language learning.