O. Henry William Sidney Porter
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Major Issues Major IssuesO. Henry is most famous for his trademark structural device: the surprise ending. While his careful manipulation of plot twists continues to delight readers, some 20th century critics have dismissed his work as sentimental and contrived. Other scholars, however, point to O. Henry’s contribution to the longstanding popularity, and literary importance, of magazine fiction. O. Henry’s humor, critics observe, stems both from his use of puns and his revelation of common human foibles. O. Henry’s sympathetic portrayal of struggling working class Americans, "underdogs," has been analyzed, as has his careful attention to local idiom and setting, especially New York. One commonly noted theme is his presentation of environmental determinism, especially economic determinism, which can only be overcome, or transcended, by the rare human capacity for extreme love, kindness, sacrifice, or compassion. Author LinksA.K.A. O.
Henry
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