# Jack the Giant Killer explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

## What happens

A little girl visits the editorial office and asks for the story of Jack the Giant Killer. The literary editor, sporting editor, and railroad editor each attempt to tell the story in their own specialized jargon, but none succeed in telling it in a way the child can understand. She leaves with her mother, who promises to tell her the story at home.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humor and Irony

The humor arises from the contrast between the simple fairy tale the child expects and the overly specialized, jargon-filled versions told by the editors.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The unnamed literary editor who first attempts to tell the story in ornate, literary language.

### Unknown Narrator

The unnamed sporting editor who tries to tell the story in sports and gambling slang.

### Unknown Narrator

The unnamed railroad editor who attempts to tell the story using railroad terminology.

## Key lines

> Tell me Dack, de Diant Killer.

Tell me the story of Jack the Giant Killer.

_The little girl's childish pronunciation of the story's title._

> Tan 'ou tell me de 'tory about Dack de Diant Killer?

Can you tell me the story of Jack the Giant Killer?

_The little girl repeats her request after the railroad editor's attempt._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/jack-the-giant-killer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters