An Analysis of “Hearts and Hands”

I. Introduction By analyzing the irony, symbolism, and foreshadowing embodied in O • Henry’s short story —“Hearts and Hands”, we can reach a thorough understanding of the short story.

II. Support A. O•Henry uses irony to carve the characteristics of Miss Fairchild. 1. Miss Fairchild’s changing facial expressions when she saw the handcuff bound at the wrist of Mr. Easton shows reveals that she is a vainglorious person.

2. Miss Fairchild did not have any doubt when the roughly dressed man told her that Mr. Easton was taking him to the Leavenworth prison. It reveals that Miss Fairchild tended to judge people by their appearance and outfits.

3. Miss Fairchild has a fair name and face, but her heart is not that fair. When her father was ill, she did not go home to take care of her father instead of continuing her journey.

B. O • Henry uses irony to make this story more dramatic and sarcastic. 1. When Mr. Easton said, “My butterfly days are over”, he hinted that he is put in prison later and not being free while Miss Fairchild thought that he's talking about social days. 2. When Mr. Easton answered, “Yes, I must go on to Leavenworth.” he did mean he must go to the Leavenworth Prison and stay there while Miss Fairchild thought that he just take prisoner to Leavenworth, as a marshal.

3. When Mr. Easton said that tobacco is the one friend of the unfortunate. It sounds a bit sarcastic because he just sought joy amidst sorrow.

C. O • Henry uses dramatic irony to make a surprising but acceptable ending.

1. Mr. Easton is handsome with a bold, frank countenance, which mislead readers into thinking that he is the marshal. 2. The description of the glum-faced and roughly dressed man let readers assume that he is