The Cop and the Anthem by O. Henry

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To start off, an example of irony to send a message is shown through the first attempt Soapy takes to go to jail for the winter. Soapy’s ideal winter is spent on Blackwell’s Jail, The Island, rather than finding a shelter because he does not like how the shelter pry into his personal affairs. Now comes the tough part for Soapy, getting admitted by the police into the jail. The very first attempt he makes, is to go to an expensive restaurant and do what is called today, “dine and dash”. However, at first glance of Soapy’s frayed rousers and broken shoes he was thrown out, before he could steal any food. Upon entering the restaurant, “Strong and ready hands turned him about and conveyed him in silence and haste to the sidewalk and averted the ignoble fate of the menaced mallard” (O. Henry 21). Before walking into the restaurant, Soapy was excited and ready for his dreams to be met, but when the security immediately kicked him out he left discouraged and let down. Furthermore, the idea that Soapy does not receive what he wants is introduced early on in the short story from the first example, where Soapy is sent out from the restaurant because of his looks before being able to commit any crime. Based on the words of Frederick Law from the Short Story Criticism, the unclean clothing Soapy was wearing was the reason why he was kicked out of the restaurant without hesitation whilst on his yearly journey to the Island (201). So far, in the attempt Soapy has taken the less desired punishment is received, and here him being physically kicked out, rather than calling the police. The ironic situation here is a surprise because one would think that Soapy would receive the punishment he wants, but the message to the readers is beginning to sen...

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...ying to harass a young lady in front of the police, but much to his surprise she actually enjoyed his company. Soapy became mentally prepared for his hopefully final attempt; he straightened his shirt and walked up to the women ready to complete his mission but she immediately started to go play along wit his shenanigans. Everything that Soapy said in aim to offend her made her laugh and she returned the dialogue with something completely made up instead of going to the nearby police officer. After many minutes of trying to agitate the woman Soapy began to get fed up, “With the young woman playing the clinging ivy to his oak Soapy walked past the policeman overcome with gloom” (O. Henry 23). On the complete opposite end of Soapy’s expectations the woman was pleased with what he was doing and Soapy became extremely angry. The situational irony here shows that

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