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O. Henry

 

             Henry is a well known author of numerous short stories. Henry's writings are similar in certain ways such as; the usage of ironic, unexpected endings, the location being one of three settings, and that of the strong buying power of money. He incorporates many of these things in many of his stories. "The Gift of the Magi," "The Skylight Room," "The Cop and the Anthem," "One Thousand Dollars," and "The Last Leaf" are all short stories that he wrote that contain some of these aspects. .
             Ironic and unexpected endings occur in many of the stories written by O. Henry one example was in the story "The Gift of the Magi." In this story the two main characters both make a sacrifices to buy a gift for the only problem. The one problem with that is, both of their gifts pertain to that certain thing that the other one sacrificed. "I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs." (6) Just before this Della said refering to her hair "It's sold, I tell you - sold and gone." (5) In another story called The Cop and the Anthem a man wanted to get incarcerated so he had a roof over his head, well right when he went to church to change around he decided he didnt want to goto jail, then he was arrested. "An instantaneous and strong impulse moved him to battle with his desperate fate." (20) Then before he knew it "Three months on the island," (20) he was told in the court the next morning. In another story called, "One Thousand Dollars" the main character was given 1000 dollars and had to use up all of it in a specific manner. He was doubtful because he could have really used the money. After he completed the task and when it was done he ended up with $50,000.
             The location of a good part of his stories take place in the city. The story "The cop and the anthem" takes place completely in the city he uses many idea within the loacation though. His story "The Last Leaf" takes place in the "west district of washington square.


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