Stylistic Analysis of O.

Henry`s story «While the Auto Waits»

The author of the story under discussion is O. Henry - an American writer. O.

Henry's short stories are known for witty narration, wordplay, warm characterization and clever
twist endings.
Most of O. Henry's stories are set in his own time, the early 20th century. Many take
place in New York City and deal for the most part with ordinary people: clerks, policemen,
waitresses, etc. O.Henry had an inimitable hand for isolating some element of society and
describing it with an incredible economy and grace of language.
The theme of social inequality and the senselessness of upper classes` life style runs
through the text.
The story is written in ironic key, the following examples prove this: «burnt
sacrifices to the great joss, Luck», «the vassal of Luck», «…remark upon the weather that
introductory topic responsible for so much of the world's unhappiness». The unexpected end of
the story produces highly humorous effect.
The text presents a piece of third-person narration and skillfully comprises such
types of narration as description, dialogue and account of events.
The choice of words is neutral, but the language of main heroes contains colloquial
and bookish words, this emphasizes the difference of their social status.
The exposition of the story produces the mysterious effect. The peculiar choice of
words supports the atmosphere of secret: «promptly at the beginning of twilight», «to mask», «a
large meshed veil imprisoned her turban hat and a face» and the repetition of the word «quiet»
strengthens this idea: «that quiet corner of that quiet, small park». The author draws our attention
to an ordinary unnoticeable from the first glance girl with the help of inversion: «came again…
the girl in gray» and repetition: «To repeat: Her dress was gray, and plain enough to mask its
impeccancy of style and fit».
The girl comes to the park very often and to emphasize it O. Henry uses parallel
construction: «at the same hour on the day previous, and on the day before that, and there was
one who knows it».
And here the young man is first introduced, O. Henry doesn`t give us direct
description of this man from the very beginning, he uses indirect methods of characterization
through metaphors: «the vassal of Luck», particular choice of verbs and irony: «hovered, relying
upon burnt sacrifices to the great joss, Luck», «pounced upon it with instant avidity», prolonged
metaphors: «with that air that seems to flourish in parks and public places - a compound of
gallantry and hope, tempered with respect for the policeman on the beat».
The girl looks at him leisurely «at his ordinary, neat dress and his features
distinguished by nothing particular in the way of expression».
But the plain ordinary style of their clothes is the only thing they have in common.
Their behaviors contrast with each other: the girl behaves like an aristocratic lady, speaking in
«deliberate contralto» and «icy tones», deliberately mispronouncing his surname, using bookish
style: “You may sit down, if you like”, "you must remember that I am a lady. I will excuse the
remark you have just made because the mistake was, doubtless, not an unnatural one - in your
circle. I asked you to sit down; if the invitation must constitute me your honeysuckle, consider it
withdrawn." With the help of the detached litotes: «not an unnatural one - in your circle» she
stresses the social gap between her and the young man. The young man, as an antithesis to her,
speaks colloquial language: “stunningest girl”, “honeysuckle”, «I had my eye on you», «pretty
lamps of yours», and at last he feels «penitence and humility».
The girl confides her story to that man. She belongs to «the holy of holies», this
hyperbole convinces the reader of her noble origin. She is fed up of high society, its constant
foolish entertainments, attentions of dukes and princes, spoiled by «the despicable gloss of
wealth and supposed social superiority», she is «sick of pleasure, of jewels, of travel, of society,
of luxuries of all kinds». The used gradation makes us believe in her extraordinary wealth and
nobility. And all she dream of now – to talk with «a natural man», or to love a man of lowly
station.
At the end of the story the author leads us to the abrupt and unexpected end of the
story: the secret is revealed, the masks are torn off, and all the actors come to their colourless
existence.
This story is full of vivid, witty and detailed description of characters and situation,
which is characteristics of O. Henry`s talent as a short stories` writer.