Freedom Of Reality In O Henry's 'Transients In Arcadia'
Introduction
The idea of coolness, view of mountains and exotic foreign scenery provides the feeling of comfort and happiness. Every individual deserves to experience the greatness of life at least once in their lifetime. With the daily hardships and struggles, life can become overwhelming. However, all is possible when the inevitable will to break free from reality is at its peak. In the short story “Transients in Arcadia”, O Henry portrays through Madame Beaumont and the use of figurative language that the prejudice against varying social classes in society makes one want to escape from the dreariness of reality into another realm of paradise. Therefore, in order to put an end to discrimination, every individual should be treated equally
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Rumors soon circulate the hotel. “A story about Madame Beaumont was told among the guests in the Hotel Lotus. It was said that she was a woman who had traveled all over the world. It was said that she knew the most important people everywhere. It was said that in her white hands she held the future of certain nations” (Henry, 63). According to the guests and employees at the hotel, Mamie belongs to the higher economic class based on the way she dresses, talks, and presents herself to her audience. The rumors encourage the change in her attitude and behaviour allowing her to live up to the expectations of others opinions. This false mirage she creates of herself, allows her to escape the prejudice against her social ranking. This further emphasizes how discrimination based on one’s social status can render one’s desire to escape the unpleasant reality of life.
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How does one escape reality? O Henry uses figurative language to create an illusion of a dreamlike secluded paradise which is first introduced in the title itself. “Transients in Arcadia” (Henry 62). Transient implies that nothing is permanent and Arcadia refers to a garden with no stress, only peace, and harmony. In addition, the title helps the reader interpret the story 's theme of short-lived happiness. Mamie works full time at a boutique in New York and is able to put aside a little bit of her pay to
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