Spatial Symbolism and Atmosphere in Short Fiction: A Comparative Reading of Hemingway's Cat in the Rain, Wilde's The Happy Prince and Saki's The Open Window

Abstract

This article builds on the theoretical assumptions in Bachelard’s Poetics of space, Tuan's Space and place, Foucault's idea of Heterotopia (Space/Place) exploring how space and place bring meaning into creation with particular reference to three typical short stories: Hemingway's "Cat in the Rain" (1925), Wilde’s The Happy Prince (1888,) and Saki The Open Window (1914). Through careful interpretive and comparative study of these selected short stories, we look at the intersection/interaction value of space, place being in the creation of meaning in these stories. The study shows that the idea of place is used by writers as a humanized space, center with active movement and interaction. In the prose of these three authors there was some variation in representational style when they introduced their characters via places: at times place was a metaphor Beyond representing spatial worlds for these characters, it also served as a sort of atmospheric poetry. The study argues that in the light of the interrelation between characters' space, place, memory, history, action, emotionthose China characters whose current demands cannot be met by an understanding reader's guide or someone who is only frequently physically viewing them means include their psychological states and individuality, etc. are their own space/places: this was set up stylistically by the author.