O'Henry describes love in obsession along with the theme struggle in the life of contemporary American people.

  • Unique Paper ID: 156479
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue: 3
  • PageNo: 841-841
  • Abstract:
  • O'Henry describes the theme poverty, restlessness, harshness and cruelties which reflects lost faith and hope to move away from family members in search of a perfect job to find peace in life but harshness in life lost the appearance of the present in the form of restlessness in life bringing discomfort in the life of the Youngman to search his love, Miss. Eloise. This is a tragic story where the wanderers searching for jobs and the natural disaster in the form of flood takes the life of many people living in the red district of the New York city, harming and killing many who appear to live an uncomfortable life and no longer have physical appearance but roam as supernatural spirits. While the protagonist in the form of the Young man is seen searching for his love, Miss. Eloise for five months but after ceaseless search he is unable to meet her. This ceaseless search makes him tired so he rents a room near the theatre to find her but no rest comes in the furnished room where he rents because each time the room reminds him about her. Even he seems to feel the smell of mignonette which makes him feel her presence there. On the other hand the housekeeper, Mrs. Purdy rents the abusive furnished room on rent to the tenants to earn a huge amount of rent without informing them the truth that the room is abusive. This represents her harshness and selfishness because when the Youngman came downstairs to enquire about the previous tenants who previously rented it she completely lies that she does not remember the name of Miss. Eloise nor the appearance of the previous tenant having a short height and a mole under her left eyebrow and her lie results in betrayal and lost faith and hope soon he seems to lose control over himself. And soon ripples the bed sheet into pieces blocking each and every corner of the doors and windows and turns on the yellow gas lighter to  commit suicide.

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