Relationships in “The Storm” by Kate Chopin, “Sleepy Time Gal” by Gary Gilner, “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner, “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker, and “The Rookers” by Bobbie Ann Mason Relationships are something everyone can relate to. For better or worse, everyone has been involved in some kind of relationship. The word relationship actually means connection or association, but most people know that it is much more than that. Having positive relationships requires the effort to spend time with someone and communicate clearly. Security, trust, respect and support are often at the heart of fruitful relationships. However, even strong, healthy relationships can go wrong. This is abundantly clear in some of the most famous stories written. You can witness different types of relationships, their rise and often their fall, and learn from the way people treat each other. After all, in the end it is human kindness that matters most. Each relationship involves a separate set of emotions and typically a short story will contain a particular connection that rises above the rest and is linked to the overall theme of the piece. In Kate Chopin's "The Storm," a married woman is home alone when she finds a former love interest on her porch asking for shelter from the storm. Her husband, Bobinot, and her son went to the store to buy shrimp for Calixta while she is having a lustful affair with the stranger. When the husband returns she acts as if nothing had happened and the stranger reacts the same way to his wife. The reader sees that the marriage between Calixta and Bobinot seems strong, yet she is engaged in this extramarital affair with another man. Relationships are complex; they can be deceptive to...... middle of paper ......r that Phoenix is ​​not finished yet and in fact, will continue to make this journey for his nephew until his body gives out. Phoenix reflects on his nephew with great warmth and devotion towards him. Relationships in literature develop character and add depth. It is through relationships that themes are created and emotions are evoked. The nature of relationships can be the most important part of a narrative, and some set the overall tone and most compelling of all epilogues. All of the above-mentioned tales involve extensively detailed characters immersed in multidimensional relationships that influence the central theme. Occasionally, a character will be an animal or other strong force in a story, but even then there must be some kind of relationship between him and another person, animal, or force. Without relationships a story fails.