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Oh What an Ironic World

William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry, was widely known for his short stories. He is often reffered to as the "Master of Short Stories." His stories were filled with twist and irony within the plot. "Some have called him the American Maupassant because of his so well made surprising endings" (Online). In 1908 critic Henry James Forman wrote that "No talent could be more original or more delightful. The combination of technical excellence with whimsical, sparkling wit, abundant humor and a fertile invention is so rare that the reader is content without comparisons" (Nextext Online). O. Henry also used …show more content…

Eugene Garcia finds that “In this trite little tale of mutual self-sacrifice between husband and wife, O. Henry crystallized dramatically what the world in all it’s stored up wisdom knows to be of fundamental value in ordinary family life”(short story criticisms 192). The theme of this story should always be kept in mine that love is more important then money. . The short story “A Lickpenny Lover” had a similar theme to “The Gift of the Magi.”
The reoccurring theme in “A Lickpenny Lover” was that money was not everything. Masie a beautiful young girl met a a man, Irving Carter, painter, millionaire, traveller, poet, and automobilist. Masie was an extremely poor girl who lived in a tiny home with almost nothing. The underlying irony that O. Henry included in this story was very discreet. The irony that was included in this story was the name of Masie's shop. It was called the Biggest Shop when in reality it was the complete opposite of what she represented. Nothing about her was big, in fact her house was the smallest in the entire neighborhood.
The main them of this story was the power of love. Carter was extremely rich and powerful. The fact that Masie was a poor store owner didnt change the fact that they were in love. The story states:
"Masie," said Carter, earnestly, "you surely know that I love you. I ask you sincerely to

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