Abstract
This paper begins by discussing the personal life and history of William Sydney Porter, who took the 'nom de plume', O'Henry. It describes the type of writing he produced at end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s. It also analyzes some of his short story compilations.

From the Paper
"In 1902, O. Henry moved to New York City and for the next three years worked as a journalist (O' Henry pp). New York City was the perfect inspiration for Henry's collection of colorful characters (William pp). He loved wandering the streets and parks, talking to people of all walks of life (William pp). In 1904, he wrote sixty-five short stories and fifty the next year (William pp). His first collection, "Cabbages and Kings" was published in 1904 and his second collection, "The Four Million", was published two years later and included some his best known stories, "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Furnished Room" (O' Henry pp). In 1907, Henry published another collection called "The Trimmed Lamp", which included "The Last Leaf" (O' Henry pp). In another 1907 collection called "The Heart of the West", Henry wrote tales of the Texas range, obviously reflecting on his earlier years in Austin and Houston (William pp). His best known work and the most anthologized is "The Ransom of Red Chief", which is included in the 1910 collection, "Whirligigs" (O' Henry pp). He had one venture into the theater with "Lo" in 1909, but it was not successful (O. Henry pp)."

Tags:short, story

Abstract
This paper explains that, to the reader, O'Henry's short story ,"The Gift of the Magi", is the most amazing story he has ever read; its irony and concept were beautiful and real. The author points out that this short story shows him that all you really need is the feeling of love; you don't need gifts because they can turn around and 'bite you' in the long run. The paper relates the story of the "The Dillinghams who are not very wealthy, but deeply in love, and who sell their treasures, her hair and his watch, to give each other a Christmas gift."

From the Paper
"So Jim walks in and stares and stares at Della, not because he is mad, but more like a shocking kind of look. You'll never believe this. Della explains why she had done what she did, reason being she wouldn't be able to live if she didn't get her husband a present for Christmas. Jim was in no way mad at her, but like I said, just in shock. Jim pulls out a package of his own, and remember she bought him a chain for his wristwatch, and she cut all of her hair off for that chain, he pulls out a top of the line comb set as a gift for Della. That's when Della realizes the look he had on his face was for a reason. The two, I feel are in disbelief and decide to just put the gifts away and continue on to eating dinner because the gifts were to valuable to just be presents for one another."

Tags:comb, hair, watch, chain, narrator

Abstract
In this article, the writer examines O'Henry's famous short story "The Gift of the Magi". The writer focuses on plot, setting and characterization. The writer also discusses motives of the two characters and looks at how the story unfolds. The writer concludes by commenting on the O'Henry surprise twist at the end of the story.

From the Paper
"William Sydney Porter adopted the pen name O'Henry after being released from prison on embezzlement charges. The ex-convict soon rose to literary renown with a series of short stories often marked by wry humor and a surprise ending. If 'In The Gift of the Magi', perhaps the most famous of O'Henry's short stories we see both wry humor and one of his biggest surprise endings. The plot revolves around a couple of newlyweds who are poor and facing a dismal Christmas ... "

Tags:love, Christmas, sacrifice, poverty, marriage, setting, scene, short story, O. Henry

Abstract
An analysis of O'Henry's short story "Transients in Arcadia" that discusses the central theme and the literary devices utilized by the author to reinforce it. It also looks at O'Henry's use of irony.

From the Paper
"O'Henry's short stories generally involve an ironic twist near the end of the story and "Transients in Arcadia" does not disappoint in this manner. "Transients in Arcadia" illustrates the atmosphere and culture of the Hotel Lotus..."

Tags:O'Henry, irony, characterization, simile, naturalism, symbolism, class, deception, apperances

Abstract
An 8 page explication of O. Henry's "The Last Leaf. The writer discusses Henry's depiction of the artist.

Abstract
Examines the accusation against Flipper of embezzlement of Army funds and conduct unbecoming an officer, his ultimate acquittal of embezzlement charge, and his dishonorable discharge from the Army in 1882.

From the Paper
"This research paper discusses the court martial of Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper (Flipper) (1856-1940). Flipper, the first African-American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point and one ..."

Abstract
This paper critically analyzes the text of "Gift of the Magi" and argues that the story is effective because of its use of an omniscient narrator and a human, humorous touch. It also looks at the comparison of Della and Jim to the magi of Christian tradition as an incarnation of the "wise man" archetype.

From the Paper
"At first glance this metaphor comparing Della and Jim to the magi is a bit strange. After all, the archetypal wise man is aged, having learned all he could throughout a long life of study and contemplation, is most often male, reflecting the idea of knowledge as a masculine pursuit in most patriarchal societies, tends to lead a somewhat solitary existence, and whether he is rich or poor (and he is more often the latter), he is still usually well-respected in his community."

Tags:James, Dillingham, Young, pun

Abstract
This paper examines D. H. Lawrence's use of a fairy tale structure to enhance the ironic tone of the story,"The Rocking-Horse Winner", by controlling three critical literary elements: plot, allusion, and symbolism. The author points out that Lawrence effectively uses the irony of the fairy tale structure to show how children can be overburdened and destroyed when the problems of the adult world, such as obsession, greed and jealousy, are transferred to the child's world. The paper concludes that, although Lawrence is clearly a master writer, perhaps a writer with a different style, such as O'Henry, could take the same subject matter and write a story without the tragic overtones that are characteristic of "The Rocking-Horse Winner".

From the Paper
"However, even though the parallels are imperfect, they don't obscure allusions to other stories in the genre. The idea of a "gift" that is turned against a main character is a theme that recurs throughout the fairy tale and myth genres. The story of King Midas is about a gift that is turned into a curse. His greed for gold is turned into a "golden touch" that destroys everything and everyone he holds dear. Likewise, Paul's gift of special knowledge from the rocking horse is turned against him when his mother spends the money he wins at the races faster than he can win it."

Tags:sisyphus, fairy, symbolism, irony, tragedy

Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the two short stories "The Municipal Report" by O'Henry and "A Jury of Her Peers" by Susan Glaspell. This essay provides an emphasis on the similarities and the differences between the characters, plot and setting.

Abstract
This paper describes the great historical epic film,"The Lion in Winter" about the later life of Henry II Plantagenet, King of England, from 1142 to 1189 A.D, when Henry was embroiled in a family dispute concerning his successor to the throne of England in 1183. The author believes that, because of its realistic portrayal of the characters, plot, setting and time frame, this film stands out as one of the best historical epics produced during the 1960s. The paper stresses that (1) the portrayal of the Plantagenet family is considered to be a true representatation of the actual persons and (2) the location of the film is in or near the King's residence in England.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Filmic Narrative
Historical Context
Historical Accuracy
Critical Assessment

From the Paper
"Regarding Henry II's family, it could be said that within this often turbulent and violent arena, "war was their pleasure, but marriage was their business." This war aspect of the Plantagenets was based in part on Henry's complete unwillingness to share his special heritage with his wife and sons, a heritage of the Anglo-Saxon line via his grandmother Matilda and his father as the hereditary Count of Anjou. Also, through his marriage to Eleanor, Henry II laid claim to Aquitaine and other areas of France, including Brittany, Normandy, Gascony, Toulouse, Maine and Poitou, all of which made up the Angevin Empire."

Tags:o'toole, plantagenet, becket, successor, portrayal