O. Henry (Bloom's Major Short Story Writers)

This volume is designed to present biographical, critical, and bibliographical information on O. Henry’s best-known or most important short stories. Following Harold Bloom’s editor’s note and introduction is a detailed biography of O. Henry, discussing major life events and important literary accomplishments. A plot summary of each short story follows, tracing significant themes, patterns, and motifs in the work, and an annotated list of characters supplies brief information on the main characters in each story.

Loved by readers who feel as though they are in his stories, O. Henry is all but identified with the short story as a genre. Among other short stories, this text reviews "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Furnished Room."

CONTENTS
User's Guide
Editor's Note
Introduction
Biography of William Sydney Porter ("O. Henry")
- Plot Summary of "The Gift of the Magi"
- List of Characters in "The Gift of the Magi"
- Critical Views on "The Gift of the Magi"
- Plot Summary of "A Municipal Report"
- List of Characters in "A Municipal Report"
- Critical Views on "A Municipal Report"
- Plot Summary of "The Furnished Room"
- List of Characters in "The Furnished Room"
- Critical Views on "The Furnished Room"
Works by O. Henry
Works about O. Henry
Index of Themes and Ideas