William Sidney Porter O Henry 1862 1910 The

William Sidney Porter “O. Henry” 1862 – 1910 The Gift of the Magi

Background Info • “O. Henry” is the most famous American pen name next to “Mark Twain” • Popularity surged during first decades of 20 th century • Born in Greensboro, NC moved to Texas at age of 20 because of ill health • Financial trouble, weekly newspaper failed, accused of stealing bank funds • Friends proclaimed his innocence • When indictments were issued, though, he skipped bond and fled to Honduras • Returned only when he found out his wife was getting ready to die • Tried, found guilty, and sentenced to 5 years (served 3) • Pen name was borrowed from a guard at the jail, Orrin Henry

His works • Had more than a dozen stories published while in prison • Professional writer when left prison • Moved to NY and was in high demand • Editors were bidding for his stories • Peak – averaged a story a week • Most popular collection, The Four Million, represented the population of NY at the time

Last years • No close friends • Died at age 38 • Died “a gentle, alienated, and lonely alcoholic”

Characteristics of his works • Anti-naturalist, unlike serious literature of the day • Naturalists insisted on revealing the stark reality that defined life • Porter “lifted the veil from stark reality and showed the romance beneath it. ” • Humor and compassion, mixed with delightful surprise endings – sharp contrast to the pessimistic naturalists • Trademark surprise endings: “The trick in a typical O. Henry story consists in withholding an important piece of information from the readers as long as possible, so that only as he finishes the story does he fully understand the significance of the previous action. ” • Showed sympathy for the underdog, youth striving for a taste of joy before settling down to the humdrum of life, for the loyalty of true love.

The Gift of the Magi • Details the poverty of a young couple • Only through costly sacrifice are they able to give one another a gift • Shows the beauty of their self-sacrificing love • Positive, humane values shine through the “stark reality” of their lives

Gift of the Magi questions • What is Jim and Della’s greatest treasure? • Compare how O. Henry handled the Young’s disillusionment to how a naturalistic writer like Stephen Crane (The Octopus) would have handled it? • Why do some people find positive values in disappointments and others only mocking absurdities? • Why do you think the writer chose to write the story revealing Della’s plan and withholding information about Jim’s plan instead of the other way around? • O. Henry’s stories are usually only entertainment pieces. Is this one different? How? • What’s the moral? • What is the allusion in the title of the story?

Matthew 26: 6 -13 (NIV) 6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste? ” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor. ” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her. ”

Luke 7: 36 -50 (NIV) 36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner. ” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you. ” “Tell me, teacher, ” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more? ” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven. ” “You have judged correctly, ” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little. ” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven. ” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins? ” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace. ”