“Man About Town” by O. Henry is a story that reveals the inquisitive nature of a man who desires to learn about things. The protagonist was curious about a man called “Man About Town,” and he eventually came across an article in the newspaper that talked about the same man.
This article going to provide the information related to this short story book. I will elucidate :
- Author
- Summary
- Analysis
- Theme
- Review
- Conclusion
Author
Man About Town is a fascinating literary work by O Henry. It’s extracted from his collection of books named ‘’The Four Million’’.The common themes in O Henry’s writings include humanity, kindness, and generosity. Some of the best O Henry short story books are:
Man About Town Summary
This short book isn’t too lengthy. Further, the plot isn’t too much fictional. It starts with an unknown character who narrates his habits. The man believed to be curious in life. It took him around two weeks to find out why women carry suitcases and why the mattress had two divisions. He believed that it could ease the burden of women. There is a humorous element at the beginning of the book.
The narrator was curious to see how Man About Town looked. He thought this person looked like John Doe. He heard that he had pale blue eyes. He wears a dress in the evenings and joins every organization. They say he always stands in the sunlight. The narrator approaches many people to ask about Man About Town and believes he sneers like the smile of a Cheshire cat.
The reporter shared his views related to Man About Town with the narrator. He said the man fits in meetings, Further, he is found alone or sometimes with another man on the road. This enhanced the narrator’s curiosity. Many people passed close to the narrator but he was looking for his man. The narrator reaches a man in a café and questions there about a man about the town’s appearance. The man said the man appeared on nights.
The narrator met his friend who was a critic in the story. He asked him about this elusive character. He explained that the man town loves to poke his nose into things that he doesn’t know. He seems a traveler. The man about town seems full of curiosity and impudence. The narrator thanks his critic friend who elucidated to him how men in town look.
The narrator decides to roam in town and find his man about town. The story ends when the narrator lands in the hospital and hears that he was struck by a car last night while roaming the road. The narrator was shocked when he heard the newspaper called him Man About Town hit by a car.
Analysis
Man About Town By O Henry offers an introduction to some stereotypes. The narrator in the story seems a curious man. He was searching for someone in town and approached various people. His curiosity leads to an unexpected ending.
- Further, the newspaper described the narrator as the man in town. It seems the narrator was searching for his lost self.
Theme
- The important theme is curiosity. The narrator found himself while looking for a fictional character he created in his mind.
Review
- Overall, the story was not as fascinating as the other O Henry works that I summarized on my website.
- Additionally, the writing style was challenging due to the use of complex vocabulary.
- The story seems a little bit boring.
Conclusion:O Henry Man About Town Synopsis
The article Explained Man About Twon by O Henry. The story was about a man who was looking for a fictional character in his mind. The man was curious which led to personal discovery.