O Henry's Writing Style Analysis

Classic literature is an important staple that people can relate to all over the world. The classic authors O. Henry, Mark Twain, and John Steinbeck have all withstood the test of time and created classic literature through their unique styles of writing. Their classic works have become a principle for timeless literature.

O. Henry’s unique writing style is shown in his many works throughout his lifetime. One of the styles that O. Henry uses is situational irony. Situational irony is an example of paradox and complications in a situation. This is shown in his short story “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry. Dela wanted to buy her husband a beautiful and worthy gift for Christmas, but unfortunately, she had very little money to make such purchases(CD).

One of his styles of writing is symbolism. Symbolism is when something in the story represents something bigger. In the novella-fictional book The Pearl by: John Steinbeck symbolism can be found. For example in chapter 2 when Kino needs to find a pearl to pay the doctor because Coyotito has been stung by a scorpion and is slowly dying Kino gets some luck. “It was the greatest pearl in the world.” This passage shows symbolism because the pearl represents the luck that Kino and his family have received. Ultimately the reader learns that you should never give up. That is a classical connection between life and style because just when you think you have struck rock bottom life can change, and you might receive some luck. (CD) Another style John Steinbeck uses in his writing is cultural diversity. This is when one culture makes fun of or doesn’t help another culture. An example of this can be found further in the story when Kino, whose baby has been stung by a scorpion, goes to the doctor of a different race and asks him to heal his baby. The doctor responds with, “ Have I nothing better to do than to cure insect bites for ‘ little Indians’? I am a doctor not a veterinarian” (11). This quote show cultural diversity because the doctor refuses to help the indians and their baby while also calling them animals. (CX) Ultimately the reader learns that you should treat people the way you want to be treated no matter what race. That is a classical connection between life and style because sadly many people treat other people badly just because they believe something another person does not. To wrap it up, all of John Steinbeck 's unique styles of writing all have one timeless theme, just because someone or something looks one way they/it might actually be