The Purple Dress
(Critical Essay)

The Purple Dress is a story by O.Henry, written in 1905. O.Henry is famous for his short stories and one of the well-known one is about friendship and sacrifece.
The story is about two single woman who are clerks and sell accessories. At the start of the story thse two woman Maida and Grace discuss their favourite colors- purple and red. Both thinks that their colours are the best. Thanksgiving party is approaching and ladies are doing their best to look pritiest at their store party. Maida decides to wear a purple dress, which the tailor Schlegel is going to sew for only $8. Maida had saved $18 in eight months. Grace decides to buy a red dress in a store, she thinks if a ladie has a a figure vevrything fits great on you. Both of them tries to please Mr. Ramsay, the head clerk. The only single man in the store. The day before Thanksgiving Maida is going to leave to take her dress from the tailor, she founds her friend in tears. Grace has no money to pay the rent, she already spent her money on the dress and she needs exact same amount of money as Maida has to take her dress from the dressmaker. She sacrifes it and and helps friend to pay the rent. At Thanksgiving Maida does not want to go to the party, "I was set on my purple," said Maida. "If I can't have it I won't go at all”.At the afternoon she goes to the tailor and tells that has no money to pay. But Schlegel gives her the dress and says to bring money when shen can. Maida runs to the store party in her new dress but suddenly it stars to rain, but nothing can chande her mood. Near the store she sees Mr. Ramsay who is amazed by her look and behaviour. At the end they takea walk in rain.
The story takes place in Mr. Bachman store, where once a year, in Thanksgiving the owner makes a party for his emplyess. We can see that everything happens during Thanksgiving, I think the author choose this time of year on purpose, because the idea of Thanksgiving is to be thanktfull what we have and and help who needs it. The story is about frinship and selfless act. Maybe a little miracle which happens whenyou at least expect it.