Power, Dominance, and Human Nature in “On The Train” and “A Story of Stolen Salamis” Santina Conte College

In Lydia Davis’s short story “On The Train,” the narrator is depicted as a judgemental individual capable of doing no wrong, who is surrounded by mannerless people while riding the train. In “A Story of Stolen Salamis,” an Italian landlord’s prized salamis are stolen from his shed, and the media finds it appropriate to create a comic story around the event. These short stories encapsulate the raw reality of human nature, which depends on our desire for power. Lydia Davis’s “On The Train” and “A Story of Stolen Salamis” seem to share an negative view of humanity, where unfavorable human traits are derived from humankind’s quest for power and dominance. Both the narrator of “On The Train” and the media in “A Story of Stolen Salamis” have a way of manipulating information without considering the repercussions. Ultimately, mankind seeks power, and they are capable of achieving this power through manipulation.

In “On The Train,” the narrator takes advantage of her unrestrained voice to speak her mind regarding the manners of those around her. She exaggerates the seriousness of their behaviours while neglecting to acknowledge her own, brushing what she does aside as a “bad habit” (Train, 6). For example, the women are “talking so...