O. Henry 's three stories, “A Retrieved Reformation,” “The Gift of the Magi,” and “The Last Leaf” demonstrates the talent of this writer. In all three of these stories, unique literary techniques are used to create plot twists and unexpected turns. A common literary technique used in O. Henry 's three stories is irony, which is used to create a humorous and surprising effect. In addition, O. Henry uses foreshadowing in all three stories in order to build suspense as the reader anticipates the surprise ending.
The theme that is conveyed throughout “A Retrieved Reformation” is that people can change. Jimmy Valentine is sent to prison because he breaks into banks. Surprisingly, he is freed from prison before his sentence finishes. Jimmy continues …show more content…
Henry weaves situational irony into “The Gift of the Magi” too, in order to further the theme and entertain the reader. Jim and Della have two very valuable possessions, Della’s hair and Jim’s watch. Christmas is coming and Della sells her hair in order to buy Jim a present and Jim sells his watch in order to buy Della a present. Jim and Della sell their only prized possession. Tragically and Ironically, Jim buys Della a comb and Della buys Jim a chain for his watch, they both buy a gift that is for each other 's prized possession. Even though Jim and Della sold their prized possession and received nothing, they still love each other. This irony helps develop the theme that love is more valuable than materialistic …show more content…
In all three stories irony is used to help develop the theme. Additionally, in all three stories O. Henry creates a humorous effect with unexpected twists. In all cases, irony makes the stories more entertaining and enjoyable to read.
In "A Retrieved Reformation," O. Henry incorporates some foreshadowing to help develop the theme, but there is still an element of surprise. O. Henry repeatedly writes that Jimmy cracks safes with special tools. This foreshadows that something dramatic will happen with Jimmy’s special tools. At the end of the story, Jimmy saves Agatha, using his special tools. The foreshadowing used helps develop the theme that people can change.
O. Henry uses foreshadowing in “The Gift of the Magi” to create anticipation and develop the theme. O. Henry constantly mentions and describes Jim and Della’s prized possessions. By doing this, the reader can predict that these possessions will become important later in the story. The story continues, and Jim and Della both sell their prized possession to make the other happy. They each bought a gift for the others’ prized possession, but they did not realize that they both had the same idea. Because O. Henry spends so much time describing the importance of these possessions, the reader is heartbroken alongside Jim and Della. Their loss ultimately proves that love is more valuable than materialistic
The theme that is conveyed throughout “A Retrieved Reformation” is that people can change. Jimmy Valentine is sent to prison because he breaks into banks. Surprisingly, he is freed from prison before his sentence finishes. Jimmy continues …show more content…
Henry weaves situational irony into “The Gift of the Magi” too, in order to further the theme and entertain the reader. Jim and Della have two very valuable possessions, Della’s hair and Jim’s watch. Christmas is coming and Della sells her hair in order to buy Jim a present and Jim sells his watch in order to buy Della a present. Jim and Della sell their only prized possession. Tragically and Ironically, Jim buys Della a comb and Della buys Jim a chain for his watch, they both buy a gift that is for each other 's prized possession. Even though Jim and Della sold their prized possession and received nothing, they still love each other. This irony helps develop the theme that love is more valuable than materialistic …show more content…
In all three stories irony is used to help develop the theme. Additionally, in all three stories O. Henry creates a humorous effect with unexpected twists. In all cases, irony makes the stories more entertaining and enjoyable to read.
In "A Retrieved Reformation," O. Henry incorporates some foreshadowing to help develop the theme, but there is still an element of surprise. O. Henry repeatedly writes that Jimmy cracks safes with special tools. This foreshadows that something dramatic will happen with Jimmy’s special tools. At the end of the story, Jimmy saves Agatha, using his special tools. The foreshadowing used helps develop the theme that people can change.
O. Henry uses foreshadowing in “The Gift of the Magi” to create anticipation and develop the theme. O. Henry constantly mentions and describes Jim and Della’s prized possessions. By doing this, the reader can predict that these possessions will become important later in the story. The story continues, and Jim and Della both sell their prized possession to make the other happy. They each bought a gift for the others’ prized possession, but they did not realize that they both had the same idea. Because O. Henry spends so much time describing the importance of these possessions, the reader is heartbroken alongside Jim and Della. Their loss ultimately proves that love is more valuable than materialistic