While the Auto Waits

By: O. Henry
 Summary
• There was a girl in a large meshed veil, over her face, when she
turned a page, the book slipped on her hand and a young man
pounces upon it. The young man then sat before the girl then told he
had an eye for her that day.
• The young man’s name is Mr. Parkenstacker, but in the contrary, the
girl didn’t tell her real name and said her name is all over the papers
and people would recognize her easily. The girl talked about the
wealthy life, on how she used to date wealthy men, then the young
man told her that he works in the restaurant across the street as a
simple cashier attendant. Having a surprise on her face, the girl
looked at her watch and suddenly became in a hurry.
 Summary

• Mr. Parkenstacker offered the girl a walk, but the girl insists on
walking home alone. Then suddenly, a waitress came yelling at the
girl telling her she’s late for her shift in the restaurant, the waitress
keep on insisting that the girl go get dressed until she saw Mr.
Parkenstacker standing aside, the waitress apologized for yelling
after recognizing the man standing.
• The girl continued walking, leaving Mr. Parkenstacker standing in the
park, the waitress continued following the girl while yelling to her to
dress up for her late shift.
 Summary

• A man dressed as a chauffeur approached Mr. Parkenstacker and

offered him a ride for he said that they are late for a dinner
appointment.

• “The auto is waiting”

While the Auto Waits

 Characters:
• Girl:
 Secretive
 Dishonest
 Ambitious
 Hysterical
While the Auto Waits

• Characters:
• Mr. Parkenstacker:
 Secretive
 Calm
 Careful
Conflict

• An internal conflict occurred within the man and the young

woman when they both knew the other is lying but does not
called each other out on their lies.
• An external conflict occurred between the young woman, who
pretended to be rich, and a waitress, who knew the real identity
of the woman. The waitress was not hesitant to call out the young
woman's pretensions despite her vehement denials.
Setting

• 1920
• In a park, New York
Vocabulary words

• Honeysuckle- a type of shrub that has bright and colorful

flowers
• Connoisseur- a person who knows a lot about something
• Mercenary- a soldier who is paid by a foreign country to fight
in its army
• Diabolical- extremely evil
• Chauffeur- a person whose job is to drive people around in a
car
William Sydney Porter

• Born in Greensboro, North Carolina

• His pen name is O. Henry
• He is an American short story writer
• His stories are known for their surprise
endings
• Sept. 11, 1862- June 5, 1910
 Walter Wykes

• He is an American playwright
• He produced over 30 plays that was popularized
around the United States and Internationally.
• He adapted “While the auto waits” for the stage.
Theme

• Appearance vs. Reality

• Self deception
• Climbing the Social ladder
Moral Lesson:

• Accept yourself
• Be yourself because it reflects you for being who you are
• Stop telling lies that may conclude your unrealistic dream