Short Story Analysis

Fictional short stories do not always have to be conventional pieces of writing . There is a formula that exists , detailing what makes a piece of writing a story . These are the elements of fiction , and they include , but are not limited to , structure , the use of detail , setting and point of view . In the stories Lost in the Funhouse , The Indian Uprising , Incarnations of Burned Children , Happy Endings , and Girl , the elements of fiction are not always implemented . Most of these stories are unconventional pieces of writing , making for a more creative

vision of what a story should look like and how a story should read . In these stories , the structures vary and the details are , at times , non existent

John Barth 's Lost in the Funhouse ' seems like more of a how-to guide to fiction writing than a story . Barth weaves explanations of characterization , the uses of italics , and reasons for leaving out the names of characters into the story of Ambrose . He emphasizes the importance of engaging the reader and how to accomplish this when he states , To say that Ambrose 's and Peter 's mother was pretty is to accomplish nothing the reader may acknowledge the proposition , but his imagination is not engaged (86 . This explains to the reader , and the aspiring writer , that showing instead of telling is the most important element of any fictional story . This is accomplished through the use of detail . Also , Barth 's structure makes this story unconventional . Barth cuts away from...