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JNV KOLAR

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O. Henry

The Cop and The Anthem

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William Sydney Porter (September 11, 1862 – June 5, 1910), better known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American short story writer. His stories are known ...�Genre‎: ‎Short story�Occupation‎: ‎Writer�Nationality‎: ‎American�Died‎: ‎June 5, 1910 (aged 47); New York City, ...�The Gift of the Magi.

About the Author:

O. Henry

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INTRODUCTION:

The story “The Cop and The Anthem” has a number of incidents / situations what happens was the opposite you expected. Here Soapy , is the main character, who is jobless and homeless. He wants to have a safe place to stay as the winter is coming fast. He decides to do criminal acts and go to Blackwell’s Island , the prison to stay during winter. He is very much in need of food for every day, bed for every night , safe life from wintry winds and safe from cops.

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Soapy does his best to be on the wrong side of the law. He tries three to five tricks but all were in vain. He was sick at heart that no cop will arrest him this winter.

Soapy , at last remembers his childhood days and wants to reform himself and tries to start a fresh life. But this time he proposes to be a good one , the cop arrests him and sends him to jail.

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OBJECTIVES:

Students will be able to:

understand the theme of the lesson
realise the importance of freedom
enhance of vocabulary
complete the exercise at the end of

the story

understand sequence of events.
read and write to the point .

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OUT COMES:

Infer meaning from the text and author’s style of writing.
Understand the values learnt from the lesson and theme of the lesson.
Comprehends text locally and globally and critically examine the irony in the story.
Compare such situations from our lives as Soapy was facing.
“God proposes and a man disposes” how far justified here.
Follow instructions and directions to make inferences and judgments.
Skim the reading text to identify main ideas,
Scan text for specific supporting details.
For competencies: critical analysis, collaborative communication, creative and critical competency will improve by understanding importance of freedom, values and writing diaries.
Attitudinal change will come by honing character traits and citizenship.

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Techniques:

WIPRO’S ROUND ROBBIN:

Brain Storming – Discussion – Pre – requisite learning– what they will learn now – about the author–

Collaborative – Communication – Critical thinking
Group discussion
Questioning
MCQs and Peer Assessment
Habits of Mind : Creative and Critical thinking.

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Key Words:

Signs: Indications

Cops: Policemen

Prison: Jail

Hanging Around: Roaming and watching

Argue: Protest

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Summary: 01

The language is elevated and the character Soapy is typical. Soapy is the central character who suits the ironic structure of the story.
Soapy, whatever decisions he takes the reaction is always opposite to his wishes.
As long as Soapy is roaming free in the city he is not at all free due to winter.
He wishes to be in jail to enjoy freedom from hunger and harassment.
His only wish is to go to jail as he is not willing to pay for his daily expenses by doing some work.

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Summary: 02

The character Soapy doesn't want to accept charity too, to avoid preaching.
Though he tries to break the law at many places but these were not treated as criminal acts.
Soapy seems “doomed to liberty” as he tries to be a “crook” but not successful.
The umbrella thief treats him genuine citizen and the street walker takes him as a true potential customer.
This story is ironic and mocking in tone , where Soapy wants to be in jail by doing some mischief, but fails.
Soapy is sent to jail, at last, for doing nothing.

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CONCLUSION:

Soapy is a homeless and a jobless young man of criminal background. He wishes to be in jail to enjoy freedom from hunger and harassment of cops. His only wish to go to jail to as he is not willing to pay for his daily expenses by doing some work. He realised the arrival of winter season by seeing the birds flying towards the west and falling leaves.

The character Soapy doesn't want to accept charity too, to avoid preaching. He doesn’t want to work also as the employers would ask him for his previous jobs. Hence, it was the only way to go to the Blackwell’s Island for three months for safe living by getting free food, safe stay and no harassment from police.

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CONCLUSION:

Though he tries to break the law at many places but these were not treated as criminal acts. Eating in restaurants without paying, throwing stones on glass buildings, running away by taking umbrella, behaving like a drunkard youth etc. Whatever he proposes the God disposes.

Soapy seems “doomed to liberty” as he tries to be a “crook” but not successful. This story is ironic and mocking in tone , where Soapy wants to be in jail by doing some mischief, but fails.

It’s an irony of this story when Soapy wants to be a good man. He wants to comeback to mother’s home. He proposed this noble thought but the police arrested him without doing anything and sent him to jail.

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Activity

Independent Practice: Write the question- answers in the fair notebooks.
For Gifted Children: a. What are Soapy’s crime?

b. what was Soapy’s epiphany?

c. What is the main conflict in the story.

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Activity

Independent Practice: Write the question- answers in the fair notebooks.
For Weak Children:
a. What were the signals of winter season was setting in?

b. Justify the title of the story.

c. What did Soapy hope for the winter?

d. List out incidents of Soapy’s attempt to go to jail.

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Activity

Independent Practice:
Write the question- answers in the fair notebooks.
For Specially abled Children:

a. collect 25 difficult words and refer dictionary for meaning.

b. find some phrases which you find difficult.

c. point out humorous incidents.

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Thank You All !