What are the main themes in Dorothy Parker short stories?

Some of the well - known best Dorothy Parker short stories include 'Big Blonde'. It's a poignant exploration of a woman's life in a rather unfulfilling and complex social environment. The character in 'Big Blonde' is vividly drawn, and Parker's writing style really shines through in depicting the woman's struggles and her attempts to find meaning and connection.

One of the main themes is the struggle for self - identity. The main character is constantly trying to define herself within the context of her relationships and society's expectations.

Perhaps the theme of female vulnerability. As Parker often focused on female characters, the 'Custard Heart' might show how women were often in a more precarious position in society and in relationships, with their emotions being easily bruised, like a custard heart.

One of the main themes is race. Dorothy West often explored the experiences and challenges of African - Americans. Another theme could be family, as many of her stories might touch on family relationships within the African - American community. Also, the concept of identity, both personal and cultural, is likely to be a significant theme in her short stories.

The theme of modernity and the changing world also appears. Her short stories might touch on how society was evolving and how individuals, especially women, were adapting to new ways of life. For example, in some stories, she shows the impact of new social norms on women's relationships and self - identity.

You'll find a lot of social climbers in her stories too. People who are more concerned with appearances and status than with true values. They go to all sorts of lengths to be seen in the right circles, attend the fanciest parties, and be associated with the 'right' people.

The best Dorothy Parker short stories tend to have a certain brevity that doesn't sacrifice depth. Take 'A Telephone Call' again. It's so short, yet it manages to convey a whole range of emotions. Her use of dialogue is also key. In stories like 'The Standard of Living', the dialogue between the characters reveals their personalities and their values. And her descriptions are vivid but not overly elaborate, which helps move the story along quickly, as in 'Big Blonde' where we can clearly picture the main character's situation.

One characteristic is her sharp wit. In her stories, she often uses clever wordplay and sarcasm. For example, she can expose the hypocrisy of society in a very humorous way. Another is her in - depth exploration of human nature. She delves into the emotions, desires, and flaws of her characters, making them very relatable. Also, her writing style is concise yet impactful, getting straight to the point while still leaving a strong impression on the reader.

One of the highly regarded ones is 'Big Blonde'. It delves into the life of a woman who uses her looks and charm to get by in a rather unforgiving society. The main character's journey through relationships and her own self - perception is explored in a very poignant way that is characteristic of Parker's sharp writing style.

One of the best is 'Big Blonde'. It's a poignant story about a woman who uses her charm and looks to get by in life but faces many challenges. It shows Parker's sharp eye for character and society's treatment of women.