О. О. HenryHenry A Great A Great Master Master

of Short of Short StoriesStories

was brought up - был воспитан a pharmacist - фармацевт a drugstore - аптека a cashier - кассир an accountant - бухгалтер was fired fromwas fired from - был уволен - был уволен accuse in shortageaccuse in shortage - обвинять в растрате - обвинять в растрате was caught and brought to prison-

был схвачен и отправлен в тюрьму Funeral - Funeral - похороныпохороны be established - be established - быть учреждённымбыть учреждённым TreasureTreasure - сокровище - сокровище SacrificeSacrifice for the sake offor the sake of – жертва ради… – жертва ради…

The short biographyThe short biography

The famous American writer O. Henry (his real name is William Sydney Porter) was born on the 11th of September in 1862 in Greensboro, the State of North Carolina. He is the author of over 280 stories and sketches.

At the age of 3 he lost his mother who had died. He was brought up by his aunt. After leaving school he worked as a pharmacist in a drugstore, was a clerk in the Agricultural Department. His last job was a cashier and an accountant in a bank of the city of Austin, state Texas.

He started to write at the beginning of 1880. His first He started to write at the beginning of 1880. His first stories appeared in the weekly stories appeared in the weekly magazine “Rolling magazine “Rolling Stone”, which was published in Austin in 1894. But a Stone”, which was published in Austin in 1894. But a year later the magazine was closed and William Porter year later the magazine was closed and William Porter was fired from the bank and accused in shortage, was fired from the bank and accused in shortage, though his relatives compensated it.though his relatives compensated it.

During the next year William Porter was hiding in Honduras, then in South America. But finally he returned to the USA where he was caught and brought to prison for 3 years.

Why “OWhy “O.. Henry"? Henry"?It was a prison where he began to write his stories under the nickname “O. Henry”. The origin of his nickname isn’t clear. O. Henry himself explained that he had borrowed this name from a column of news in the newspapers and letter “O” was taken as the simplest letter.

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Guy Devenpont, one Guy Devenpont, one of O. Henry’s of O. Henry’s biographers said that biographers said that O. Henry was just the O. Henry was just the shortened title of the shortened title of the prison where O. Henry prison where O. Henry had to spend 3 years. had to spend 3 years. It meant Ohio It meant Ohio Penitentiary. Penitentiary.

Unluckily he died Unluckily he died rather young. rather young.

O. Henry was only 48 O. Henry was only 48 when he fell ill. when he fell ill.

The last week of his life The last week of his life O. Henry spent in O. Henry spent in loneliness in a loneliness in a miserable hotel room. miserable hotel room. His funeral was held in His funeral was held in

accordance to his accordance to his plot.plot.

Despite of his early death he became one of the most outstanding short stories writer whose works are translated into many foreign languages. In our country he is often called “American Chekhov”.

8 years later after his 8 years later after his death the prize in the death the prize in the honor of O. Henry was honor of O. Henry was established. It is established. It is handed every year. handed every year.

As a master of short As a master of short stories O. Henry left stories O. Henry left the list of following the list of following sets of stories:sets of stories:

•“The Four Million” 1906•“The Trimmed Lamp” 1907•“Heart Of The West” 1907•“The Gentle Grafter” 1908•“The Voice Of The City” 1908•“Roads Of Destiny” 1909•“Options” 1909•“Whirligigs” 1910•“Strictly Business” 1910•“Sixes And Sevens” 1911•“Rolling Stones” 1912•“Waifs And Strays” 1917

“The Gift of the Magi”

On Christmas Eve, a young On Christmas Eve, a young married couple, Jim and married couple, Jim and Della Dillingham — finds Della Dillingham — finds that they don't have enough that they don't have enough money for holiday gifts to money for holiday gifts to each other.each other.

Della decided to sell her Della decided to sell her luxury brown curls (part of luxury brown curls (part of the treasure, which was the the treasure, which was the subject of their common subject of their common “pride”) and to buy her “pride”) and to buy her husband a chain for his husband a chain for his platinum gold watches (" platinum gold watches (" treasure "). treasure ").

In the evening, Jim came In the evening, Jim came home with a gift for his wife. home with a gift for his wife. And it turns out that Jim And it turns out that Jim had sold his watch to buy had sold his watch to buy an expensive set of ridges, an expensive set of ridges, which have long dreamed of which have long dreamed of Della. Della.

But this does not spoil the But this does not spoil the celebration of two loving celebration of two loving hearts.hearts.

The story is an interpretation of the Bible story about the worship of the wise men. The main characters are compared with the wise men who came to the newborn baby Jesus with their gifts

The author wants to make it The author wants to make it clear: if the legendary Kings clear: if the legendary Kings were famous for their treasures, were famous for their treasures, the Dillingham family has no the Dillingham family has no less spiritual wealth. less spiritual wealth.

The story in general is built on the contrasts — the The story in general is built on the contrasts — the couple's old grey home, the surrounding reality is also couple's old grey home, the surrounding reality is also not very bright. However, Jim and Della with their love not very bright. However, Jim and Della with their love paint the world. Thanks to that the readers have no paint the world. Thanks to that the readers have no gloomy, uncomfortable feelingsgloomy, uncomfortable feelings

““The power of love and sacrifice The power of love and sacrifice for the sake of a loved one”for the sake of a loved one”

Thanks for yourThanks for your attention!attention!