# The Dream explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

## What happens

Murray, a condemned man awaiting execution in the electric chair, reflects on his fate and the other prisoners in Limbo Lane. As the hour of his death approaches, he experiences a vivid dream of a peaceful life with a wife and child, only to realize too late that he has dreamed the wrong dream. The chapter includes O. Henry's own notes on his intention to write a new, more serious style of story.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Consequence

The chapter explores the psychological state of a condemned murderer facing the ultimate penalty for his crime.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Murray's dream presents a false reality of happiness and innocence, contrasting sharply with his actual fate.

## Character check-ins

### Young Murray

The condemned protagonist awaiting execution in the electric chair.

### Bonifacio

A Sicilian inmate who calls out to Murray, displaying hardened philosophy and camaraderie.

## Key lines

> Murray had dreamed the wrong dream.

Murray's final vision of a happy life was a cruel illusion, not the truth.

_The story's central ironic twist: the dream offers false hope._

> I want to show the public that I can write something new—new for me, I mean—a story without slang, a straightforward dramatic plot treated in a way that will come nearer my idea of real story-writing.

O. Henry intended this story to mark a departure from his usual style, aiming for a more serious and conventional narrative.

_Author's own commentary on his artistic ambition for this piece._

## Links

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