Page 81 - DENG104_ELECTIVE_ENGLISH_I

Elective English–I

Notes

Did u know? O. Henry’s real name was William Sydney Porter. He was born in Greensboro,
North Carolina, in 1862. He went to Texas at the age of twenty and drifted
from one job to another till he became a teller in a bank. He quit this job
to begin newspaper work but later started writing stories under the pseudonym
O. Henry. He started living in New York, where he died in 1910. He
specialised in the short story that ends with a completely unexpected surprise.

6.3 Characters and Plots

Jimmy Wells: (cop, best fellow in the world; strong and important person who controls the
safety of the people). He loves New York. He is a fine-looking cop, watchful, guarding the
peace. He is as true as any man in the world.

Bob: He has a colourless square face with bright eyes, and a little white mark near his right
eye. He has a large jewel in his necktie.

Setting (place/time):

It was probably winter. The weather was cold, there was wind and rain. The story takes place
in New York.

General plot:

The story is about the relationship between two friends. Twenty years ago two friends had
their last dinner together. One of them was leaving town to find “great success”. They agreed to
meet in 20 years time to see who they were and the kind of future that waited for each of them.

Self Assessment

Circle the letter of the best answer for each of the following questions.

1. The man standing in the doorway of the hardware store seems out of place in the
neighborhood because
(a) he appears to be a wealthy man.

(b) no one there knows him.
(c) the businesses are all closed for the night.
(d) it is a dangerous place to be. _______
2. As the police officer approaches, what does the man in the doorway do?

(a) shrinks back
(b) stares at him intently
(c) begins to walk away
(d) speaks to him immediately _______
3. The story suggests that as young men, Bob and Jimmy
(a) had very similar personalities.

(b) had been very close friends.

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