Short Fiction · Chapter
Endnotes explained
A collection of endnotes providing explanatory references and humorous asides related to the stories in the book, including a note on a famous Texas legal case, a satirical reference to Rev.
What happens
A collection of endnotes providing explanatory references and humorous asides related to the stories in the book, including a note on a famous Texas legal case, a satirical reference to Rev. Sam Jones, repeated citations to dining advertisements, and a journalistic joke about the word 'unfortunate' and its modern complement.
Themes in this chapter
Humor and Irony
The endnotes include satirical commentary on journalistic language and repeated references to dining advertisements, showcasing O. Henry's characteristic wit.
Key passages
“Mr. Vesey afterward explained that the logical journalistic complement of the word 'unfortunate' was once the word 'victim.' But, since the automobile became so popular, the correct following word is now 'pedestrians.'”
Mr. Vesey later clarified that in journalism, 'unfortunate' used to be paired with 'victim,' but with the rise of automobiles, it is now more appropriately followed by 'pedestrians.'
This illustrates O. Henry's ironic commentary on changing language and societal shifts due to technology.