# According to Their Lights explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

## What happens

Two down-and-out men, young Murray and the Captain, have fallen from respectable positions and now survive on the streets of New York. The Captain is offered money to testify against a former friend and inspector, but refuses out of loyalty. Murray, in contrast, considers betraying the Captain for a reward. The chapter ends with both men joining the Bread Line at midnight, embodying their respective moral codes.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Consequence

The Captain's fall from the police force due to corruption and the offer to testify against Pickering highlight themes of crime and its aftermath.

### Ambition and Failure

Both Murray and the Captain have fallen from high positions, illustrating the failure of their ambitions.

### Humor and Irony

The Captain's grandiose language and absurd attempts to improve his situation, such as proposing to a fruit seller, provide dark humor.

## Character check-ins

### Young Murray

A fallen aristocrat who now lives on the streets; considers betraying the Captain for money but ultimately stays with him.

### The Captain

A former police captain reduced to poverty; refuses to testify against his friend Inspector Pickering despite the offer of money.

### Unknown Narrator

Third-person narrator who describes the setting and the moral choices of the characters.

## Key lines

> New York is divided into two parts—above Forty-second Street, and below Fourteenth. You come from the other part. We both act according to our lights.

New York is split between the wealthy uptown and the poor downtown; you're from the rich side, but we each follow our own moral code.

_The Captain explains the social divide and justifies his refusal to betray his friend._

> I'd marry the Empress of China for one bowl of chop suey. I'd commit murder for a plate of beef stew. I'd steal a wafer from a waif. I'd be a Mormon for a bowl of chowder.

I would do anything, even commit crimes or marry anyone, just to get a decent meal.

_The Captain's hyperbolic speech underscores his desperation and hunger._

> I think I would play Judas for the price of one drink of whiskey. For thirty pieces of silver I would—

I would betray anyone for a single drink of whiskey, just like Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

_Murray expresses his willingness to betray for personal gain, contrasting with the Captain's loyalty._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/according-to-their-lights
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters