# The Remnants of the Code explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

## What happens

Beelzebub Blythe, a drunkard and sponger, reaches his lowest point in Coralio after being kicked out of a saloon. Desperate for money to feed his addiction, he attempts to blackmail Frank Goodwin, threatening to reveal that he saw Goodwin take a valise full of money from the late president's arrival. Goodwin instead offers to pay Blythe's debts and give him a thousand dollars on the condition that he leave Coralio on the Ariel steamer that afternoon, with the understanding that Blythe will pretend he was asleep and saw nothing.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Consequence

Blythe's attempted blackmail and Goodwin's counteroffer highlight the moral and practical consequences of criminal actions.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Blythe's shift from a conciliatory smile to sinister resolve, and the agreement to pretend he was asleep, underscore the theme of hidden truths and false appearances.

### Ambition and Failure

Blythe's failed attempts to maintain his respectable facade and his ultimate descent into blackmail illustrate the theme of ambition leading to failure.

## Character check-ins

### Beelzebub Blythe

A desperate drunkard who, after being kicked out of a saloon, attempts blackmail against Frank Goodwin to fund his addiction.

### Frank Goodwin

The target of Blythe's blackmail; he calmly negotiates a deal to send Blythe away on the Ariel steamer.

### Willard Geddie

Passes Blythe with a cool nod while riding with Paula, indicating Blythe's exhausted social credit.

### Billy Keogh

Passes Blythe with a curt greeting and ominous look, having been one of Blythe's frequent victims.

## Key lines

> I want a thousand dollars, Goodwin; and you'll have to give it to me.

Blythe demands a thousand dollars from Goodwin as blackmail.

_This quote captures the climax of Blythe's desperation and his shift to criminal threats._

> I was asleep all the time on the cot under Madama Ortiz's orange trees; and I shake off the dust of Coralio forever.

Blythe agrees to pretend he saw nothing and to leave Coralio permanently.

_This shows the deceptive agreement that resolves the conflict._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-remnants-of-the-code
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters