# Smith explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

## What happens

A flamboyant stranger named Smith arrives in Coralio on his yacht, the Rambler, and interacts with the local consul, Willard Geddie, and Dr. Gregg. Smith's visit is brief and mysterious; he vanishes by morning, leaving behind unanswered questions. The chapter also touches on Geddie's recent near-drowning and his decision to resign as consul to join Bernard Brannigan's enterprises.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Smith's flashy attire and mysterious behavior contrast with the simple tropical setting, hinting at hidden motives and the theme of things not being as they seem.

### Humor and Irony

The doctor's misunderstanding with the native patient over the watch and his use of brandy as a 'prophylactic' provide ironic and humorous moments.

## Character check-ins

### Willard Geddie

The U.S. consul in Coralio, recovering from a near-drowning, and planning to resign to become a partner in Bernard Brannigan's enterprises.

### Señor Goodwin

Points Smith toward the consulate and mentions Geddie's recent accident.

### Doc Millikin

Referred to as Doctor Gregg; examines crew and passengers for yellow fever, treats a native man, and drinks with Smith.

### Smith

A mysterious, gaudily dressed man who arrives on a yacht, interacts with Geddie and Dr. Gregg, and disappears before dawn.

## Key lines

> There is a quaint old theory that man may have two souls—a peripheral one which serves ordinarily, and a central one which is stirred only at certain times, but then with activity and vigour.

The narrator suggests a theory that people have an everyday self and a deeper, more impulsive self that occasionally takes over.

_This philosophical aside explains Geddie's recent reckless swim and his return to normalcy._

> He came; he spake his strange jargon of the asphalt and the cafés; he sat under the coconut-tree, and vanished.

Smith arrived, spoke in his urban slang, sat under a coconut tree, and then disappeared without a trace.

_Summarizes Smith's fleeting and enigmatic presence in Coralio._

## Links

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