Chapter 150 O. Henry and the American Bourgeoisie

O. Henry and the American Bourgeoisie Today's American literature has declined very badly.But in the past, the United States has produced several very Well-loved and good writers, such as the author of the poet Waltman, the poet novelist Aaron Poe, This genius who laid the foundation for the development of modern detective novels; and Mark Twain, Jack London, They are good writers who dare to face real life and use their works to express satire and resistance.In this year, Another American writer worth mentioning is O. Henry, who is famous for writing short stories.he in one He passed away in 1910, and this year (1960) is the fiftieth anniversary of his death.

O. Henry's short stories are certainly not as good as Chekhov and Maupassant, but his short stories are famous in the United States. Has a very wide readership, because his description objects are small citizens in the United States, those who live in business Kind-hearted citizens under the pressure of capitalism use their daily laughter and tears as the theme, so it is the most beautiful It is loved by professional women, housewives and shop assistants in China. Some other characteristics of his novels are: strong storytelling, simple writing, short length, completely suitable for him

The requirements of those readers who are busy in life and do not read well. Although O. Henry was very successful in writing short stories, his own life was full of Unlucky.This can be said to be a consistent experience suffered by many outstanding writers in the United States. O. Henry is a pseudonym, his real name is William Ciderney Porter, born in 1862. The biggest misfortune in his life was when he was accused of embezzling public funds while working in a bank.Although O. Henry He has repeatedly stated that he is innocent of the charge, but after a lengthy trial he was sentenced to five years in prison.he

He tried writing in prison and went to New York after he got out.Because more and more people like to read his short stories, He makes a living by writing, but because of the humiliation given to him by prison life, he still can't lift his spirits to be a man.Thus, in He died eight years after arriving in New York, at the age of forty-eight. A famous short story by O. Henry is "Christmas Gift", which can best convey the laughter and tears of the small townspeople: A couple of clerks who love each other, on the occasion of Christmas, each wants to buy an ideal gift for each other,

Make the other person like it.The husband knew that his wife valued his hair, so he decided to buy a set of delicate combs I gave it to her, but I didn't have enough money, so I had to sell my beloved watch.Meanwhile, the wife Knowing that my husband usually loves a watch most, but there is no chain, I decided to buy a high-quality watch chain as a gift. I gave it to him, but I had no money, so I cut off my beautiful long hair and sold it to the barber shop, and got the money to buy a watch. Get the chain back.As a result, each of them thought that their gifts would make the other party very happy, but they didn't know that their wives gave out gifts.

When the watch chain was removed, the husband had no watch. When the husband was about to untie the comb he gave his wife, he found that the wife The son's long hair had been cut off, and the two could only smile wryly at each other.However, in this bleak wry smile, The husband and wife got a better gift than a Christmas gift, which was the discovery of a deep and thoughtful love for each other. Love.This is why O. Henry's novels can be loved by the good-natured citizens of the United States.