O. Henry

O. Henry shares some similarities with main characters Jimmy and Bob. He risked going to jail to see his dying wife like Bob took a risked to see Jimmy. O. Henry and Bob both went to jail. O. Henry and Bob went out west. O. Henry lived in New York and Bob and Jimmy meet in New York and grow up in New York. (“Author”151)

“The last Leaf” is another short story that shares similarities to O. Henry’s life experiences. This story is about two friends. Their names are Sue and Johnsy. Jonhsy gets sick with Pneumonia. She says that when the last leaf of an ivy leaf falls she will die. But Sue never gives up in her. When the last leaf falls her neighbor Behrman paints one on so she doesn’t give up. He gets sick and dies alone and penniless. (36-41)

O. Henry has some similarities with the main characters Sue, Johnsy, and Behrman. O. Henry wife died of Tuberculosis and Johnsy was dying of pneumonia. O. Henry risked going to jail for his wife like Behrman risked his life to save Johnsy. He lived in New York and the girls lived in New York. O. Henry died penniless and alone and Behrman dies penniless and alone. (“World” 1-4)

O. Henry used his experiences with the world and the challenges he faced to write short stories. The people in his life become the characters in his stories. Readers will always remember his stories for their irony, humor, and surprise endings.