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Zero-Sum

Joyce Carol Oates

273 Pages
2024

Zero-Sum

Random House

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Zero-Sum - Summary

"Zero-Sum" is a compelling collection of short stories by acclaimed author Joyce Carol Oates that delves into the dark recesses of human psychology and contemporary social dynamics. Through a series of intricate narratives, Oates explores the complex power struggles, moral ambiguities, and psychological warfare that characterize modern relationships and personal interactions, where one person's gain often comes at another's loss.

Key Themes

1

Power Dynamics and Manipulation

The collection extensively explores the intricate dance of power between individuals, from academic mentorship gone awry to calculated revenge plots. The stories demonstrate how people strategically position themselves to gain advantage over others, often with unexpected consequences.

2

Psychological Vulnerability

Throughout the collection, Oates masterfully portrays characters grappling with their inner demons, from a new mother's identity crisis to a writer's self-destructive tendencies. These psychological portraits reveal the fragility of the human psyche when confronted with life-altering circumstances.

3

Justice and Retribution

The stories examine various forms of justice, both institutional and vigilante, particularly through the lens of gender dynamics. Characters take matters into their own hands when traditional systems fail, raising questions about morality and consequences.

FAQ's

Unlike typical short story collections, "Zero-Sum" uniquely focuses on the psychological warfare and power dynamics in modern relationships, with each story presenting a different facet of how people compete, manipulate, and struggle for dominance in their personal and professional lives.

The book contains mature themes and complex psychological situations that are best suited for adult readers who appreciate literary fiction with dark undertones and challenging moral questions. Some stories deal with sensitive subjects like stalking, predatory behavior, and suicide.

The title reflects the central theme that runs through all the stories - situations where one person's victory necessarily means another's defeat. Each narrative explores scenarios where characters find themselves in circumstances where mutual benefit seems impossible, leading to intense psychological and emotional conflicts.

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