Research Paper W/an Included Outline

Outline

Thesis: Even though some have found his stories uninteresting in today's time or even ridiculous, William Sydney Porter, also known as, O. Henry, has never failed to omit his signature plot twists, surprise endings, and epic irony from any of his novels.

I. Biographical Facts

a. Early Life- Loved to read early on

Graduated from elementary school in 1876

Aunt tutored him until he was 15

Started working in his uncle's drugstore and became a licensed pharmacist later on

1. Parents- Parents were Dr. Algernon Sidney Porter a physician and Mary Jane Virginia Swaim Porter that died of tuberculosis when O. Henry was 3

2. Talents- Sketched the townsfolk showing his natural artistic talents

b. Later Life- Took up residence on a sheep ranch and helped out as a shepherd, ranch hand, cook, and baby-sitter after moving to Texas

Moved to New York to live nearer to his publishers

1. Got arrested- Charged with embezzlement for discrepancies during his audit

2. Death- Died on June 5, 1910, of cirrhosis of the liver, complications of diabetes and an enlarged heart

II. List of Works

a. The Gift of the Magi- Story about a couple that trade in their most valued possessions in order to buy each other a Christmas gift

1. Ironic ending- Turns out each of their gifts to each other were to enhance their most valued possessions

b. Copied- The essential idea of this story has been copied many times

c. The Cop and the Anthem- This story Is basically about a hobo trying to break several laws so he can go to jail and live a better life than on the streets

After hearing an organ anthem he decides to change his way and actually try in life

He ironically gets arrested for loitering

1) Surprise ending- The hobo, Soapy, finally decides to go towards a better life and then he gets arrested unsuspectingly for loitering while looking for a job

2) The Organ- I find it interesting that just hearing the church organ anthem made him completely change his views on life

1.

III. Critical Reviews

a. Positive Critical Review- Lots of people loved his stories as they were humorous, optimistic, and playful

His stories were also easy to read

Style never seen before

Some people say best short story writer ever known

b. Negative Critical Review- Some say his stories are nonsense

Not interesting in today's time

IV. Recurring Theme

a. Unconditional Love

b. Nonjudgmental

c. Self-sacrifice

V. Style

a. Irony- Irony is used in a lot of O. Henry's stories making them very enjoyable and humorous

b. The O. Henry Ending- Aka trick or surprise ending, refers to a total unexpected turn of events at the end

VI. Impact on Me

a. On life- To think about others rather than myself

b. On stories- That every story can be ironic and enjoyable

The author O. Henry was born September 11, 1862 under his birth name William Sydney Porter. William Porter's parents are Dr. Algernon Sidney Porter, his father a physician, and his mother Mary Jane Virginia Swaim Porter. His mothers died of tuberculosis when William was 3 and at that time his father and he moved into his paternal grandmother's house. At an early age he loved to read everything and later on in life that would show in his short stories that he is known for. William Porter graduated from his aunt's elementary school in 1876 and he soon after enrolled into Lindsey Street High school. His aunt continued to tutor him until he was 15. In 1879 he started to work in his uncle's drugstore and at age 19 became a