# Chapter I explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

## What happens

Judge Smith, a respected citizen of Plunkville, is found murdered in his bed under bizarre and excessive circumstances, with multiple fatal wounds and strange clues left at the scene. The coroner's verdict is suicide.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humor and Irony

The absurdly overdone murder and the coroner's ridiculous verdict of suicide create a darkly humorous and ironic tone.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator describes the murder scene and the coroner's investigation.

## Key lines

> Judge Smith, a highly esteemed citizen of Plunkville, is found murdered in his bed at his home.

The highly respected Judge Smith is discovered dead in his own bed.

_Establishes the victim and setting._

> He has been stabbed with a pair of scissors, poisoned with “rough on rats.” His throat has been cut with an ivory handled razor, an artery in his arm has been opened, and he has been shot full of buckshot from a double-barreled gun.

The judge suffered multiple fatal injuries from various weapons.

_Highlights the excessive and comical nature of the murder._

> The coroner renders a verdict of suicide.

The coroner concludes that the judge killed himself.

_The ironic and absurd conclusion to the investigation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/chapter-i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters