One Thousand Dollars

A Short Story By O. Henry

Alireza Mirzanejad
Mohammad Khosravi
Summary of the Story

In the beginning of "One Thousand Dollars," a man

named Gillian is receiving one thousand dollars from
a lawyer. Gillian's uncle had passed away and left the
money to him in his will. However, there is a twist.
Although he inherits the one thousand dollars, Gillian
has to tell the lawyer how he spends the money. He
then starts asking some people and even strangers
about what can he do with the $1000, but none of the
answers convince him, finally he does what he thinks
is the best.
O. Henry
Paid by Bobby
Gillian, $1,000 on
account of the eternal
happiness, owed by
Heaven to the best
and dearest woman
on Earth.
O. Henry
Elements of Story

•Settings :
The setting of this story is perceived to be in New York,
however, the majority of the story takes place in the
dialogue of the characters.

•Point of View :

Third Person
Elements of Story

•Characters :
Protagonist - Bobby Gillian
Antagonist - $1000
"Even fifty dollars would have been less trouble."

Supporting Characters :
Old Bryson
Lawyer Tolman
Miss Miriam Hayden
Miss Lotta Lauriere
The Cab Driver
The Blind Man
Elements of Story

•Plot :
Rising Action

Gillian is given the $1000

He talks to Old Bryson
Asks cab driver what he'd do with it
Asks blind man the same question
Realizes what to do with the money
Gillian goes to Miss Hayden with the money
• Climax
The climax of the story occurs when Gillian decides to
give the $1000 to Miss Hayden, whom he loves
dearly. He decides that she is much better off with
the money, and that she deserved it in the first
place.

• Falling Action
Gillian returns to the lawyer with his report
Learns that he has been left $50,000 if he was noble in
cause, otherwise it would go to Miss Hayden.
Elements of Story

•Theme :
Even though we may have wasted our lives away, at
some point we can make it up and be of some
significance by giving to others.

Selfless nature of true love, love is not selfish.

There can be as much joy in giving as in receiving.

People can give value to their lives by not being greedy

One's behavior is not always indicative of one's

character.
The End