I own a collection of iconic short stories, the Pocket Book of Short Stories (apparently first published in 1941) which has an interesting preface reviewing the

I own a collection of iconic short stories, the Pocket Book of Short Stories (apparently first published in 1941) which has an interesting preface reviewing the strengths and difficulties of the short story form. It argues the short story has no time to waste, unlike the novel. It must grip us from the very first sentence, otherwise all is lost. As an example, the preface recounts the story of a writing class professor who, fed up with every student writing dreadful and depressing stories about class warfare and the struggles of the proletariat, told his students in exasperation "don't just write about the proletariat and the dreadful existence of the oppressed. Add more variety! Please also consider spicier topics, and include an aristocrat now and then!" (I'm quoting from memory and possibly making a mistake, but the next line stuck with me). So the next day, the first student read a story which started like this: "'What insolence!', cried the Duchess. 'Take your hand off my knee!'" I think it's a great opening line.