The twists and ironies so classic to O Henry, in this story, brings a wry smile to the face. O Henry has written a variety of short stories, many of which I've had the pleasure of reading since childhood. This one, The Cop and The Anthem, is as humorous as it is satirical, a touch poignant, and a touch allegorical. I find the use of language extremely easy to read and follow, there isn't really any particularly deep setting to get lost in, but still enough of it to build a stage, a scene, where a theatrical act, perhaps a mime, is carried out in written words by the author. Adding to that, the imagery and the personification and other literary devices used to describe the house of All Outdoors is such a treat – fun and marvelous at the same time.
The story follows a man planning his survival strategy for the harsh winter, and how he cops out of a responsible way of living. The cop in the title is both literal and figurative and so is the anthem. We may not all be homeless fellas looking to survive the winter through unconventional means, but we've all had that moment of revelation in our lives, where everything seemed born anew, our motivation and inspiration tingling our senses, urging us to embrace our new life, before reality and familiarity offers or forces upon us, a cop out. I also found it funny how no one would arrest our man for petty crimes, but a homeless man with ambition in his eyes? Says he's doing nothin' on top of that? Why come along!, the policeman says. Sad, hilarious but sad. And isn't it the same for us? Looked down upon with familiarity while we struggle but the moment we decide to rise up, even before we can act, in the momentary nothing of the decision bearing upon us, we are immediately policed into old habits.
My Day 3 post had such engaging responses, the author's works well read and discussed! I had a lot of fun, thank you!
by Bakakura