The Caliph, Cupid, and The Clock elucidate themes of patience and love. The book offers an interesting plot that involves a prince who helps a young man in a moment of hardship. Prince Michael was enjoying the night in the park when he met a young guy.
This article explains the following information related to this story:
- Author
- Characters
- Summary
- Analysis
- Themes
- Moral Lessons
- Review
- Conclusion
Author
It’s a mesmerizing story written by O Henry. The plot includes a prince who assists the young guy. The major themes include patience and kindness. You can read many of Henry’s book reviews and summaries on my website. Some best recommendations are:
Characters
- This storybook had the following characters for readers:
Prince Michael
He is presented as prince of Valleluna by O Henry. His appearance is portrayed as a man with torn shoes and clothes with a disgusting appearance. He presented himself as a prince who could resolve people’s issues, but he looked poor and homeless.
Young man
He met Prince in the park around 8 in the night. When you read the book, you will learn that the young man was waiting impatiently for something.
The Caliph Cupid And The Clock Summary
O Henry introduced us to a prince of Valleluna named Prince Michael. He was sitting on a bench in the park during the evening. There were sounds of joy around the prince. He was enjoying the white moon over the sky. There was a large clock on the top of the building behind the park. The prince believed that he could buy everything but in reality, the prince looked poor. He was wearing torn clothes and shoes.
The prince found happiness in the loneliness of the park. The prince owned a kind heart. The author presented the prince’s views regarding the clock. He hated the clock because it brought sadness. He believed time controls us. The twist occurs with the entry of a young guy in the park.
He looked sad. He was watching the clock on the long building regularly. The prince offered him help. The guy rejected but soon disclosed the reason behind his sadness. It was revealed that he met his lover at 6 in the evening. The man cheated on her. She said she would tell him her next move by showing a white cloth over the window lights at 8 and a half. If she decides to forget her lover, she will. In parting, there will be silence. It was 23 minutes more than the declared time. The man was sad.
He was hopeless. He wanted to go back and forget his lover. The prince tells him to wait till the clock strikes. The man acted on the prince’s suggestion. The prince seemed tired and slept. It was at 9 when a white cloth appeared on the windows. This had cherished the young man. He was happy.
The young man saw a mysterious man in a park and asked him for time. He answered that it was 8:30. It was revealed that the clock on the building was out of order. It was half an hour ahead. In the morning. cops came and saw a man sleeping on a bench with fifty dollars in hand. They called that man as Michael ,the dreamer. It is revealed the man was sleeping in the park for twenty years. They called that man Michael, the dreamer. It was revealed that the man had been sleeping in the park for twenty years.
Analysis
This storybook offered good lessons to readers. The prince rejected his luxurious life. He found pleasure in simplicity. He assisted needy ones for the sake of happiness. Further, the author presented the prince’s views regarding time. It seems he hated time because it created a sense of hurry.
The prince assured the young man to wait a little longer till nine. He had strong hope that the man would receive a good sign from his lover(Marian). In the end, it is revealed that the clock was faulty. The little longer wait of the young man saved him from parting ways with his lover.
Themes
- The common themes identified are:
Love and Forgiveness
The young man and Marian both love each other. She forgave her lover by showing white cloth over the windows. It showed that love undergoes ups and downs.
Patience
The young man waited longer than the recommended time. His little wait presented joy to him.
Kindness
The prince assisted the young man. It sends a message of kindness to readers.
External Appearance
We have learned a lesson never judge anyone on his appearance. The prince looked terrible but his gesture won heart.
Moral Lessons
Here are life lessons after finishing this book:
- It is better to act on elder decisions.
- Sometimes patience has worth.
- Try to help needy people like Prince did in the story.
- One must tolerate things in love.
- Remember the people who provided candle in darkness.
Review
The Caliph, Cupid, and The Clock offer a plot when a young man is waiting outside a building in the park. His lover was going to show a cloth from the window that would decide their future. She was late which had shattered hope of the young man. The prince in the park helped the young man and advised him to wait longer. This suggestion presented joy to the young man.
- The Cupid term means a Roman god of love who spread love everywhere. The prince can be him because he is valuable to the young man. The clock symbolizes the faulty clock in the building.
- Secondly, the story was not lengthy. The writing style was simple.
Conclusion: The Caliph Cupid And The Clock Summary
This article provided the summary and analysis of The Caliph, Cupid, and the Clock by O Henry. The themes offer great lessons for readers. The setting was exceptional with a unique writing style.