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Questions and Answers
What prompted O.Henry to return to the United States after fleeing to Honduras?
What prompted O.Henry to return to the United States after fleeing to Honduras?
- He was pursued by authorities.
- He learned of his wife’s terminal illness. (correct)
- He wanted to start a new life.
- He was offered a job opportunity.
How did O.Henry respond to his circumstances while in prison?
How did O.Henry respond to his circumstances while in prison?
- He became a bank teller again.
- He worked as the prison’s pharmacist and wrote stories. (correct)
- He studied literature.
- He managed a drugstore.
What is the significance of the title 'The Four Million' in O.Henry's collection?
What is the significance of the title 'The Four Million' in O.Henry's collection?
- It highlights the population of the entire country.
- It represents the number of stories in the collection.
- It refers to the wealth of the characters.
- It contrasts with the elite known as 'The Four Hundred.' (correct)
What was a common characteristic of O.Henry's stories?
What was a common characteristic of O.Henry's stories?
What reflects the gender roles presented in 'The Gift of the Magi'?
What reflects the gender roles presented in 'The Gift of the Magi'?
Which occupation did O.Henry hold before becoming a writer?
Which occupation did O.Henry hold before becoming a writer?
What aspect of early 20th century New York does O.Henry focus on in his stories?
What aspect of early 20th century New York does O.Henry focus on in his stories?
How did O.Henry manage to publish stories while incarcerated?
How did O.Henry manage to publish stories while incarcerated?
What constitutes the primary theme of O.Henry's works, particularly in 'The Four Million'?
What constitutes the primary theme of O.Henry's works, particularly in 'The Four Million'?
What year was O.Henry's collection 'The Four Million' published?
What year was O.Henry's collection 'The Four Million' published?
Flashcards
Who was O. Henry?
Who was O. Henry?
O. Henry was a pen name used by the author William Sydney Porter.
What were some of O. Henry's early jobs?
What were some of O. Henry's early jobs?
He started his career working as a drugstore clerk and later held positions as a ranch worker and bank clerk.
How did O. Henry face legal trouble?
How did O. Henry face legal trouble?
Porter was accused of embezzling funds from a bank and fled to Honduras after the indictment, only to return upon learning his wife was terminally ill.
What happened to O. Henry after his conviction?
What happened to O. Henry after his conviction?
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Why and how did O. Henry write stories from prison?
Why and how did O. Henry write stories from prison?
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What were the hallmarks of O. Henry's writing style?
What were the hallmarks of O. Henry's writing style?
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What does "The Four Million" refer to?
What does "The Four Million" refer to?
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What were "The Four Hundred"?
What were "The Four Hundred"?
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What is the contrast between "The Four Million" and "The Four Hundred"?
What is the contrast between "The Four Million" and "The Four Hundred"?
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What are the stories in "The Four Million" about?
What are the stories in "The Four Million" about?
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Study Notes
O. Henry's Life and Work
- Born William Sydney Porter in 1862, North Carolina
- Left school at 15, worked in a drugstore, Texas ranch, and bank in Austin
- Embezzled from First National Bank, fled to Honduras, returned, was convicted, and imprisoned (1896-1901)
- While in prison, wrote and sold short stories using pseudonyms
- Released in 1901, moved to New York, wrote under the name "O. Henry"
- Published numerous short stories and collections, including The Four Million
- Focused on everyday lives of working-class Americans, often with humorous or ironic twists
The Four Million and its Context
- Published in 1906, title refers to New York City's population at the time
- A satirical response to "The Four Hundred" (Gilded Age elite)
- Portrays the lives of New Yorkers—common people rather than wealthy elites
- Stories in The Four Million, including "The Gift of the Magi," depict early 20th century life in NYC
- Supported by details like clothing, communication, and social activities
- Details of the characters (Jim and Della) and their relationship reflect gender norms of the time
Gender Roles and Socio-economic Context
- Stories in The Four Million reflect expected gender roles of early 20th century America
- Men (like Jim) expected to be the providers; women (like Della) expected to manage household
- Women are generally depicted as emotionally expressive; men are more stoic and dependable
- Though the suffrage movement was underway, women did not gain the right to vote until 1920
- O. Henry's work doesn't highlight the causes of economic struggle in the stories, though inequality existed in major cities during this period of perceived prosperity in American history
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