Perspectives

For this part of the study guide, we will help you link the short story “The Royal Flush” by Lori Pollock to current issues, literary period, and similar fiction.

Current issues

The themes the story approaches represent important issues in modern society. Often, people from the Western world (particularly young people) choose to volunteer in developing countries, in an effort to help those less fortunate than themselves. However, their initial enthusiastic attitude is often contradicted by the challenges of living and working in a different culture.

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Literary period

The short story falls within the postmodernist literary period (which covers most literary works published after WWII) because it deals with contemporary issues such as...

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Works with the same theme

For a different approach to cultural differences, we recommend the short story “Departure Time” by Tessa Green which explores the topic in connection with marriage. A young English woman falls in love with a Greek man.

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