Throughout the history of literature, story itself has influenced countless plot elements. Many social norms changed and thus gave rise to the dawn of new stories. Stories of past battles or conflicts have seeped into the writings of authors around the world. After separating the continents, Nadine Gordimer's “Comrades” and Honoré de Balzac's “Le Concrit” are an iridescent example of stories marked on stories. Both authors illustrate the dangers and struggles using their own voices while moving the plot forward. The historical context of a text can influence the types of characters, the central conflict, and the overall setting, as seen in the short stories of Gordimer and Balzac. The story and its circumstances can shape the way characters act and think about daily life. In “Comrades” it is written: “Young people like her were part of the crowd… of the committee of white and black activists… – Comrade, are you going to town” (Gordimer 684). The children form a group of activists for the fight against apartheid. At that time, black people were segregated and did not have the privilege of owning anything of value. Because of this historic removal, children like these didn't have money or even a car to transport them. Similarly, in “Le Conscrit”, the author states that “But in 1793, Madame De Dey's behavior could have disastrous consequences… Aristocrats… involved in a question of life and death” (Balzac 622). During Madame Dey's time, the French Revolution was in full swing and many aristocrats were killed if found. This internal war caused Madame Dey to behave extremely kindly in her new home and to strive vigorously not to attract suspicion. She acts like a fun, ordinary person, not revealing her inner feelings. Co...... middle of paper ...... The characters, conflicts, setting, etc. that contribute to the flow and action of the story depend greatly on the type of context and story that supports them. For an event to take place, a proper cause must be established and thus shows us that each element of a story would have been different if the story had happened for a different reason. Both Gordimer and Balzac use the misadventures of everyday life to evoke meaningful stories that are affected by these social or historical changes. Works Cited Balzac, Honor. “The conscript.” Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2002. 622-31. Print.Gordimer, Nadine. “Comrades”. Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2002. 684-87. Print.