# His Only Opportunity explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

## What happens

A local politician attends a theatrical performance in Houston, hoping to be called a gentleman by a magician who asks to borrow a hat, as he has not been addressed respectfully in years.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humor and Irony

The politician's desperate desire to be called a gentleman for the first time in years, even through a magician's trick, is presented with ironic humor.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The unnamed narrator recounts the politician's story.

## Key lines

> I’ve been in politics now for ten years, and I’ve been bemoaned and abused and cussed out, and called so many hard names that I thought I’d like to be addressed in a decent manner once more before I die, and this is about the only opportunity I shall have.

After a decade in politics, he has endured so much verbal abuse that he sees the magician's request for a hat as his sole chance to be politely addressed.

_Highlights the politician's longing for respect and the ironic situation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/his-only-opportunity
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters