Topic: O’ Henry: Hearts and Hands ( Plot analysis, characterization, themes)

Subject: Short Fictional Narratives

Week/Lecture # 4
Class: BS English
Semester: 3rd
Teacher: Saima Perveen
Department of English
Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan
 Outline

• Introduction to O’Henry
• Title significance of Hearts & Hands
• Plot analysis of Hearts & Hands
• Setting & character
• Literary Elements and Themes
 O’ Henry

 O. Henry,s real name is William Sydney Porter and he

was born on September 11, 1862 in Greensboro, North
Carolina.
 When he was three, his mother died of tuberculosis.
When he and his father moved in with his grandmother,
he attended school and read anything he could find.
 At age twenty he moved to Texas and worked as a
bank teller.He married in 1887 and began to write
sketches.
• In 1896 he was wrongly accused of embezzlement and fled to
New Orleans and later Honduras.
• When he received news of his wife's illness, he returned to
Texas, and after her death he was arrested.
• During this time period he wrote stories that later became
Cabbage and Kings.
• When he was released in 1902, he moved to New York where he
lived until his passing on June 5, 1910.
• Even after his death, his stories continued to be collected and
published until 1939.
WORKS

 A German Pension and Other Stories 1911

 Prelude 1918
Bliss and Other Stories 1920
 The Garden Party and Other Stories 1922
The Doves’ Nest and Other Stories 1923
 Something Childish and Other Stories 1924
 Writing Style

 Irony, clever characters, plot twists and wit

 Master of surprising ending
 Paronomasia, irony, metaphor, exaggeration and metonymy
 Combination of comedy and tragedy
 Humor and fun
 Speech pattern is that of common folk
 Hearts and Hands
by
O’Henry
The author has titled the story 'Hearts and Hands' because by having the marshal lie
about his hand, he shows his heart for the convict and highlights the theme of
compassion. The word 'Hearts' also indicates the kind of friendship that existed
between Miss Fairchild and Mr Easton. So, we can say it is an apt title.
Plot Analysis of Hearts and
Hands
 Exposition
Miss Fairchild is on a train and she sees
one of her old friends Mr. Easton who is
handcuffed to a prisoner.
 Rising Action

The both start talking to each other and

she finds out that he is a Marshall.
 Climax

They are telling each other about

their lives and how they miss one
another
 Falling Action
Mr. Easton goes and takes
the prisoner to the smoking
room
 Resolution

Mr. Easton says goodbye to

his old friend Miss Fair child
 Mood and Setting
Mood
Happy

Setting
Train to Denver
 Characters
MR EASTON
MISS FAIRCHILD
THE OTHER MAN (MARSHAL)
Mr. Easton
 Handsome person with frank countenance and manners
Feels embarrassed in handcuffs
The glow fades away
A counterfeiter in reality
Two passengers reveal his real identity
MISS FAIRCHILD
Charming and pretty woman
Rich , materialistic and self-centred
Sees Mr. Easton in handcuffs
Tense, uncomfortable and embarrassed
Glow from her cheeks fades away
Bewildered, unable to reconcile with the situation
Relieved by the marshal
THE OTHER MAN (MARSHAL)

Ruffled-glum faced person

Heavily built, roughly dressed
Yet kind and helpful
Observant and intelligent
Sympathetic
Comes forward to help Miss Fairchild
Marshal
Saves the unpleasant situation
 Literary Elements
 Foreshadowing- Easton told Miss Fairchild that he needed
to go to Leavenworth. He also spoke of his past making
money in the west.
Imagery- The author vividly describes the setting and
characters. Among the newcomers were two young men, one
of handsome presence with a bold, frank countenance and
manner; the other a ruffled, glum-faced person, heavily built
and roughly dressed. The two were handcuffed together.
Irony- Throughout the story, Miss Fairchild talks to him as if
he is a hero because he is a marshal. "And so now you are
one of these dashing Western heroes, and you ridend shoot
and go into all kinds of dangers." At the end, she finds out he
is the prisoner.
Symbolism- the handcuffs symbolized a lower standard of
living. When Easton pointed them out, Miss Fairchild was
horrified and judged him instantly.
Suspense- The reader is left with a feeling of suspense when
Easton's true identity is revealed and the story ends.
 Themes
Theme of Appearance/disguise/deceptive
Theme of freedom
Theme of honesty
Theme of Identity
Theme of Kindness
Theme of Class Difference
Review of Lecture

• Introduction to O’Henry
• Title significance of Hearts & Hands
• Plot analysis of Hearts & Hands
• Setting & character
• Literary Elements and Themes