ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
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THE PLOT STRUCTURE OF O’HENRY’S STORIES
Ma’rufjonov Mahmudjon
Renessaince Educational university
Student of the group XTA 01-21
Marufjonovmahmudjon0@gmail.com
TEL: +998950506303
Iusupova Kandilatxan
Supervisor: PhD.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15614585
Annotation
This paper explores the plot structure of O. Henry’s short stories, focusing
on the techniques that make his narratives distinctive and enduring. Central to
his storytelling is the use of irony, surprise endings, and a five-part structure
comprising exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Through close examination of selected stories such as The Gift of the Magi, The
Last Leaf, and The Ransom of Red Chief, the study demonstrates how O. Henry
skillfully blends humor and sentiment while delivering unexpected twists. This
paper aims to reveal how his structural approach enhances thematic depth and
emotional resonance.
Key Words:
O. Henry, plot structure, short story, twist ending, irony,
narrative arc, character, surprise.
Introduction
O. Henry, one of America’s most celebrated short story writers, is renowned
for his masterful command of plot and his signature twist endings. His stories,
often set in ordinary environments with relatable characters, transcend
simplicity through clever structuring and ironic resolutions. With brevity as
both limitation and advantage, O. Henry crafts engaging narratives that carry
emotional weight, humor, and human insight. This paper examines the plot
structures that define his stories, analyzing how each component from setup to
surprise serves to captivate readers and deliver poignant or humorous
conclusions. Through this analysis, the paper also explores how his storytelling
techniques contribute to the broader appeal and literary significance of his
work.
Main Part
O. Henry typically employs a linear plot structure that follows a traditional
narrative arc, exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement.
However, what distinguishes his stories is the manipulation of this arc to create
irony and surprise. In The Gift of the Magi, for instance, the exposition
ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
21
introduces a poor couple deeply in love, leading into a sequence of sacrificial
acts. The climax surprises the reader when it is revealed that each gift
exchanged has become useless due to the other’s sacrifice. This unexpected yet
touching twist serves as both resolution and commentary on love and
selflessness.
A consistent thematic device in O. Henry’s plot structure is irony
particularly situational irony. He leads the reader to form certain assumptions,
only to subvert them with a clever turn of events. This technique is evident in
The Ransom of Red Chief, where two kidnappers abduct a boy who ends up
terrorizing them to the point that they pay the father to take him back. The
comedic reversal forms the climax and falling action simultaneously,
demonstrating O. Henry’s ability to collapse traditional structure into a tight,
humorous resolution. Another important structural element is character-driven
conflict, which provides the emotional or comedic momentum. In The Last Leaf,
the story builds through the inner conflict of a sick girl losing hope, supported by
rising tension as she believes she will die when the last leaf falls. The twist
reveals that an old artist sacrifices his life painting a fake leaf to give her hope.
The falling action and resolution underline themes of hope, sacrifice, and artistic
purpose, all within a tightly wound narrative. O. Henry’s use of concise yet
impactful exposition allows him to immediately set tone and character
motivation. He often opens with vivid urban or rural settings, injecting life into
ordinary situations. His characters are typically working-class, flawed, or
struggling, adding a sense of realism and relatability. However, it is in the climax
always brief but intense where O. Henry’s plots flourish. These climaxes often
subvert not only reader expectation but also moral expectations, offering
commentary on human behavior, society, or relationships. Furthermore, O.
Henry’s endings serve not only to conclude the narrative but also to
retrospectively redefine the story. After the twist, the reader is compelled to
reconsider earlier events in a new light, enriching the interpretive experience.
This cyclical understanding of the narrative enhances the complexity of what
might otherwise appear as a simple tale.
Conclusion
In summary, O. Henry’s stories are masterclasses in compact, effective
storytelling, with a clear yet flexible plot structure that allows for emotional and
intellectual engagement. His use of irony and surprise endings challenges reader
assumptions and brings depth to simple characters and everyday situations. By
structuring his narratives to climax in sudden reversals, O. Henry not only
ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
22
entertains but also delivers insight into human nature. His stories remain
timeless because of this blend of structural clarity and emotional richness. As
such, his plot designs continue to influence short story writing and remain
central to the appreciation of narrative craftsmanship.
List of used literature:
1.
O. Henry. The Gift of the Magi and Other Stories. USA, 1906.pp,50-56.
2.
Baldridge, Cates. The American Short Story and Its Writers. New York,
1998.pp, 12-18.
3.
May, Charles E. The Short Story: The Reality of Artifice. London,
2002.pp,35-41.
4.
https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-gift-of-the-magi
5.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/O-Henry
