The Cop and the Anthem
The short story “The Cop and the Anthem” which is under the analysis is written by O’Henry in 1904. It is the 3d person narration. And the author is omniscient. To my mind the author tries to reveal the idea, that a man can be a hostage of himself and the situation he is in. During the story our protagonist understands that he can change his life for the better, but soon he is arrested. He raises the problem of inequality in the society.
First and foremost I would like to summarize the plot.
The short story "The Cop and the Anthem" tells us about one night and one morning of Soapy life, a homeless man living in New York City in the early 1900s.The protagonist lives in Madison Square Park when it is warm. But when winter is coming, it is too cold in the park. Thus, Soapy decides to do what he has done for several winters: he wants to be arrested and makes everything for that.
Soapy decides to get arrested at the same time by eating in a luxurious restaurant and then not being able to pay for the meal. But the waiter does not let him even come. Next, Soapy breaks a shop window. Since he does not run away, the policeman does not believe Soapy is responsible. Then, Soapy finds a cheaper restaurant to try his initial plan on. He gets in and eats a delicious meal. When Soapy says he cannot pay for the meal, the waiters refuse to call the police, and toss Soapy out on his ear instead.
Then, Soapy pretends to hit up on a lady, right in front of a cop. Well, the lady says she will go home with Soapy if he buys her some beer. Soapy runs away from her and tries to get arrested by making noise and dancing on the street in front of a policeman. This policeman thinks Soapy is drunk, and he leaves Soapy alone. Finally, Soapy steals a man's umbrella, claiming it is his. The man confesses that he actually found the umbrella and that it could well be Soapy's. So, he does not call over the policeman watching them.
Soapy ceases the idea of t getting arrested, and goes back to his park bench. On the way, he comes to a quiet street with a church on it. He hears a beautiful anthem being played on an organ coming from the church. Soapy knows the anthem and it reminds him of past days when he had family and friends and church.
The anthem creates a huge change in Soapy's mind. He makes up his mind that he can have a better life than he has now. Inspired, Soapy begins making plans for his future. He plans to find a job, he even knows where he can probably get one. Tomorrow, he will go and get that job and work toward the dreams and goals he used to have.
Soapy's thoughts are interrupted by the police.
He is arrested for loitering, or vagrancy (not having a place to live or a way to support yourself). The next morning, a judge sentences Soapy to three months in jail.
All the events in the story are arranged chronologically. Due to its humorous nature and big attention to details it captures the reader’s attention. Fast changing of the events help to hold reader’s interest easily.
