Trillo Rodriguez de la Vega 1 Susana Trillo Rodriguez de la Vega Professor Kiefer English Writing 301 15 Sep. 2014 Cultural Studies When talking about literature most of the times we think in works like The Divine Comedy, or Don Quixote (Gardner, 170). We look for a good plot containing conflict, complications, rising actions, climax and falling action. Further, we expect to find at least a protagonist and an antagonist. Finally, we expect a thorough description of the setting. We then analyze or criticize the work using all these components. But what happens if a text doesn’t have all these components? Cultural critics try to broaden the canon by analyzing all texts; rather than, only traditional literary objects (Gardner, 171). Tiny Giants: 101 Stories Under 101Words by Jason Sinclair Long contain one hundred one mini stories. These stories don’t have the traditional literary objects we are used to find in a story. In fact, at first some of them might feel as if they were taken from another, more traditional story. One of the stories is titled The Innocent Man and following the title the story is only composed by one sentence. This sentence reads “Cornered, he lashed out, becoming the monster for which they searched.” (Long, 78). And even if we cannot find many of the traditional literary objects like climax or even a setting, we can interpret so much of this powerful sentence. To start with the title The Innocent Man prepare us to expect the story to be about a man that is facing some kind of conflict. It can be that he committed a crime, or that he is being accused of something he didn’t do, or that he is feeling guilty of something. Then, the first word “Cornered” denotes that he is feeling trapped. Following “he lashes out” from here we now know that he is responding to the feeling of being trapped. Finally “becoming the monster for which they searched.” This last part explains so much. We see how this man starting being innocent, but as he felt cornered there was nothing else for him to do but to become what everyone else thought of him. Long´s words are so powerful because in just one sentence there is so much meaning. Further, many people can relate to them. No one is born guilty, or as monster, but sometimes life doesn’t give you any choice but to become one. There is nothing different in the genes of a criminal; in fact, the only difference is the situations that he had to face. Long’s stories might at first sight look like incomplete stories lacking components, but when analyzing them you realize that every word has a deep meaning. Works cited Gardner, Janet E. Reading and Writing About Literature: A Portable Guide, 3rd Edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. Print. Long, Jason Sinclair. Tiny Giants: 101 Stories Under 101 Words. Sacramento: Ad Lumen Press, 2014. Print. Stanicia Boatner ENGWR 301 Professor Christian Kiefer 15 September 2014 Cultural Studies There are several stories in the book Tiny Giants: 101 stor ...

1. Trillo Rodriguez de la Vega 1
Susana Trillo Rodriguez de la Vega
Professor Kiefer
English Writing 301
15 Sep. 2014
Cultural Studies
When talking about literature most of the times we think in
works like The Divine Comedy, or Don Quixote (Gardner, 170).
We look for a good plot containing conflict, complications,
rising actions, climax and falling action. Further, we expect to
find at least a protagonist and an antagonist. Finally, we expect
a thorough description of the setting. We then analyze or
criticize the work using all these components. But what happens
if a text doesn’t have all these components? Cultural critics try
to broaden the canon by analyzing all texts; rather than, only
traditional literary objects (Gardner, 171).
Tiny Giants: 101 Stories Under 101Words by Jason Sinclair
Long contain one hundred one mini stories. These stories don’t
have the traditional literary objects we are used to find in a
story. In fact, at first some of them might feel as if they were
taken from another, more traditional story. One of the stories is
titled The Innocent Man and following the title the story is only
composed by one sentence. This sentence reads “Cornered, he
lashed out, becoming the monster for which they searched.”
(Long, 78). And even if we cannot find many of the traditional
literary objects like climax or even a setting, we can interpret so
much of this powerful sentence.
To start with the title The Innocent Man prepare us to expect
the story to be about a man that is facing some kind of conflict.
It can be that he committed a crime, or that he is being accused
of something he didn’t do, or that he is feeling guilty of
something. Then, the first word “Cornered” denotes that he is
feeling trapped. Following “he lashes out” from here we now

2. know that he is responding to the feeling of being trapped.
Finally “becoming the monster for which they searched.” This
last part explains so much. We see how this man starting being
innocent, but as he felt cornered there was nothing else for him
to do but to become what everyone else thought of him.
Long´s words are so powerful because in just one sentence there
is so much meaning. Further, many people can relate to them.
No one is born guilty, or as monster, but sometimes life doesn’t
give you any choice but to become one. There is nothing
different in the genes of a criminal; in fact, the only difference
is the situations that he had to face. Long’s stories might at first
sight look like incomplete stories lacking components, but when
analyzing them you realize that every word has a deep meaning.
Works cited
Gardner, Janet E. Reading and Writing About Literature: A
Portable Guide, 3rd Edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s,
2013. Print.
Long, Jason Sinclair. Tiny Giants: 101 Stories Under 101
Words. Sacramento: Ad Lumen Press, 2014. Print.
Stanicia Boatner
ENGWR 301
Professor Christian Kiefer
15 September 2014
Cultural Studies
There are several stories in the book Tiny Giants: 101 stories
under 101 words by Jason Sinclair Long that vary in topics,
subjects, and points of view. The stories in this book cross
several genres of literary criticisms and provide the reader with
an array of topics to ponder. One of the literary criticisms that
is recognized among the several stories is cultural studies. One
such story is named Inside. According to Janet Gardner’s

3. Reading and Writing about Literature book, other proponents of
cultural studies turn their attention to the works of various
social “outsiders,” like prisoners, schoolchildren, or mental
patients. (p. 171)
The story Inside in Long’s book is from the point of view of a
young man whose whole life changed when he turned fourteen.
He lost innocence when he killed two men and is now reflecting
on how that event has changed his entire life. He is now in
prison paying for his decision but to accept the reality of where
he is and how much time he will be spending in prison he
attempts to look on the bright side. I’m paying for it; I’ll always
be paying for it. Free tattoos though, and I’m learning to cook
in here. (p. 21) The next story in Long’s book that fits one of
Gardner’s descriptions of cultural studies literary works is
Feeding Ground. This story describes a mentally ill man that
has come to the realization that he is now on his fifth
psychiatrist and he still has the same affinity. He now realizes
that he is unable to be fixed and is now accepting his condition.
In accepting that he is “unfixable” the gentleman has decided to
move to an apartment where he could witness car wrecks which
in turn appease his fondness for the sight of blood. Both of
these stories are examples of the human experience and daily
lives of various members of society. Not everyone’s life is
“normal” and examining such stories gives insight into how we
view and relate to one another.
Maria Lincitchi
ENGWR 301
Professor Kiefer
September 15, 2014
Marxist Criticism of Tiny Giants
The short stories written by Jason Sinclair Long differ from
most stories that carry conflict, complications and climax.
Stories in Tiny Giants are relatively short but they still pertain
elements that show different class and the effect of society on
people. In The Revolution Will Not Have a Dress Code it is

4. seen how people follow trends and how clothing changes how
others perceive you (46). The way one dresses is often a clue to
the social class they belong to. In the story Outfoxed author
shows Wanda to be of the upper class and sets the tone by using
words such as “extravagantly” and “delicate.” Wanda is used to
having nice things and hires a boy to do yard work. The fact
that Tony works for her shows that he is of a lower class. She
seduces him easily feeling accomplished in using her beauty to
get what she wanted. The elite are used to getting the things
they want by oppressing those of the lower class. This story is a
perfect example of how people in society behave because of
their economic status and how the oppressed might react to that.
Tony stole her diamonds which shows that people in different
classes try to take advantage of each other (108).
Another story that shows how the oppressed react is The Three-
Hole Punch. Getting fired from a job is difficult because it puts
people in an economic position that they are not used to and is a
perfect example of how people view their lives based on their
status and their place in society. “Finally you take a breath and
just go for it, snatching something - anything – in a blind fury.
You’re not sure what it is, but you’ve shown them all. You’ve
stuck it to the man!” (18). This shows how people react to
change in life due to ideology that makes them feel like they are
not where they are supposed to be in life.
Society sets up ideology by showing people what life should be
like and what they should want. American Dreamers shows how
people strive to live a picture perfect life but often end up being
not happy with it (73). Forever “It” is about an art class where
students are waiting to be critiqued by the professor. “One word
sealed fates” (40). Students depended their future on the
opinion of one professor. Dominant class affects society
because people of lower class don’t have a lot of possibilities to
get their ideas out there to be heard.

5. Works Cited
Long, Jason Sinclair. Tiny Giants: 101 Stories under 101
Words. Sacramento: Ad Lumen, 2014. Print.
Melissa Sandberg
Professor Kiefer
English Writing 301
15 September 2014
Jason Long’s book, Tiny Giants; 101 Stories under 101
Words, has many stories that focus on culture. Some stories
focus on the normal and the not so normal aspects of society. In
America the American Dream is something all members of
society aims for. Everyone wants the dream life, the beautiful
house, the loving spouse, and the comfort and happiness that it
comes with. Unfortunately, the American Dream is a hard thing
for people to obtain. In one of longs short stories, American
Dreamers, he describes a couple that is no sleeping beauty or
prince charming but end up getting married, having four
children, then getting a divorce and five more to follow (73). It
is a sad thing to say when a story like this is closer to the truth
here in America then a fairy tale love story.
Out of Gas, By Jason Long, talks about a man over hearing an
argument in a gas station. He hears something heavy being
thrown then out walks a girl with puffy eyes. She asks him
where he is headed and they leave the gas station together (33).
This is one aspect of the American dream that is physically
obtainable but mentally difficult to obtain. Physical abuse is
known to happen all over the States, and escaping a situation
similar can be scary. It is possible to leave the situation like the
young girl in the gas station and be able to start a new life
somewhere else, but being physically or mentally abused takes a
toll on the psyche.
Listening to the two short stories many thoughts about
America’s society can be conveyed. It can be taken that the

6. American Dream is still alive or that it is all just a fairy tale,
yet it is still something people thrive to achieve.
Work Cited
Long, Jason Sinclair. Tiny Giants: 101 Stories under 101
Words. Sacramento: Ad Lumen, 2014. Print.