how does the interplay of the elements of the short story create a meaningful whole

Question

how does the interplay of  the elements of the short story create a meaningful whole

anonymous · Answer

Elements? like plot and characters?  If that, then the elements are supposed to work together seamlessly, (so like the plot is started by the characters and the events lead to a conclusion that makes sense like a logical order of steps)  and the elements work together like that to leave the reader with a certain feeling or thought.  Usually short stories are artsy and all about deeper meaning, so usually there are certain "key passages" that tell you what issue this story is about and how the author thinks of it.

So elements work together to create a feeling or thought that the author wants the reader to feel or think. Is that what you're looking for?