Cop and the Anthem
The Cop And The Anthem
By O Henry
1) What are the signs of approaching winter in the story?
The signs of approaching winter given by the author are:
1. The birds (geese) flying south
2. Women wanting to buy new warm coats (sealskin coats – coats made from sealskin keep people really warm)
3. The dead leaves falling from trees
Three signs of approaching summer in India are:
Dry river beds
Barren and dry land, trees drooping from lack of water
Mango season (summer fruit in India)
Very hot…..reaching 45°C
Signing of the Koel bird
2) What are the ‘troubles’ that Soapy would have to plan for?
Soapy was a homeless man. Being homeless in New York meant that when winter approached he had troubles on how to keep himself warm and sheltered during the cold winter. He needed to arrange a warm place to stay and food to eat.
3) How was Soapy’s plan for the winter different from the other people of New York?
Many people from the city of New York would plan to escape to warmer places during winter. People would plan holidays to Southern parts of the country (like Florida) or take a Mediterranean cruise.
However, Soapy was not like that. He was happy with a place which would provide him a warm shelter and guaranteed food. His idea was to get arrested for some petty crime and be sent to prison for 3 months.
4) Why Did Soapy not accept the charity given by the government for the homeless during winter? What does this tell you about him?
There were several charitable places providing a warm shelters and simple food during winter. However, they humiliated the poor or asked lots of personal questions. Soapy was a proud man with self respect. He was not willing to tell people his personal information for a warm place and food. In prison no one asked personal questions or humiliated people. This is the reason why he felt that it was better to get arrested
By O Henry
1) What are the signs of approaching winter in the story?
The signs of approaching winter given by the author are:
1. The birds (geese) flying south
2. Women wanting to buy new warm coats (sealskin coats – coats made from sealskin keep people really warm)
3. The dead leaves falling from trees
Three signs of approaching summer in India are:
Dry river beds
Barren and dry land, trees drooping from lack of water
Mango season (summer fruit in India)
Very hot…..reaching 45°C
Signing of the Koel bird
2) What are the ‘troubles’ that Soapy would have to plan for?
Soapy was a homeless man. Being homeless in New York meant that when winter approached he had troubles on how to keep himself warm and sheltered during the cold winter. He needed to arrange a warm place to stay and food to eat.
3) How was Soapy’s plan for the winter different from the other people of New York?
Many people from the city of New York would plan to escape to warmer places during winter. People would plan holidays to Southern parts of the country (like Florida) or take a Mediterranean cruise.
However, Soapy was not like that. He was happy with a place which would provide him a warm shelter and guaranteed food. His idea was to get arrested for some petty crime and be sent to prison for 3 months.
4) Why Did Soapy not accept the charity given by the government for the homeless during winter? What does this tell you about him?
There were several charitable places providing a warm shelters and simple food during winter. However, they humiliated the poor or asked lots of personal questions. Soapy was a proud man with self respect. He was not willing to tell people his personal information for a warm place and food. In prison no one asked personal questions or humiliated people. This is the reason why he felt that it was better to get arrested