# The Enchanted Profile explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

## What happens

Ida Bates recounts her brief, luxurious stay with the wealthy but frugal Maggie Brown, who took her in and lavished her with expensive clothes and a grand banquet, only to suddenly economize and move them to a cheap rooming house. Ida eventually leaves and returns to her job at the Acropolis hotel, where she reconnects with a newspaper artist named Lathrop, whom she met at the banquet. The story ends with the narrator revealing that Ida's profile resembles the head on a silver dollar, explaining Maggie Brown's fascination with her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Maggie Brown's initial lavish spending hides her true frugality, and Ida's beauty masks her working-class origins, culminating in the revelation that Ida's profile resembles the silver dollar.

### Social Class and Wealth

The story explores the tension between wealth and happiness, as Maggie Brown's fortune brings temporary luxury but ultimately leads to discomfort and disillusionment.

### Love and Romance

Ida's interest in the newspaper artist Lathrop suggests a romantic subplot, though it remains ambiguous whether his interest is genuine or motivated by money.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator listens to Ida Bates's story and later reveals the resemblance between her profile and the silver dollar.

### Maggie Toole

Ida Bates, the main speaker, tells of her experience with the wealthy Maggie Brown and her return to work at the Acropolis.

### The Captain

Not explicitly named in excerpts, but the narrator is referred to as 'Man' by Ida; likely the Captain from context.

## Key lines

> I saw the bill. I began to love that old lady.

Seeing the expensive bill made me appreciate Maggie Brown's generosity.

_Ida's affection for Maggie grows when she sees the cost of their lavish lifestyle._

> By jingo! Isn't Ida's a dead ringer for the lady's head on the silver dollar?

Ida's profile looks exactly like the image of Liberty on the silver dollar coin.

_The narrator reveals the reason for Maggie Brown's obsession with Ida's appearance._

## Links

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