[Solution]“The cop moved along the street, looking strong and important. This was the way he always moved.” What was your impression of Bob at the end of page 60? How did your impression change at the end of page 61? What lesson do you think O. Henry is trying to express here? If you had to name one character as the protagonist and one character as the antagonist, who would they be? Explain your answer. At the end of the story, what is Bob’s problem and how would you suggest he solves it?

The setting of this story is in New York City, late 19th century. O. Henry begins with a description of a police officer as a way to set the mood and background for the rest of the story. It gives the reader an idea of how law enforcement operated during this time period, as well as what was expected from citizens living in a major city like New York. At the beginning, Bob does not appear to be someone who would break any laws but rather someone who had made mistakes in his past that he was determined to put behind him and start over fresh. He seemed confident that he could make it on his own terms if given enough time and freedom.

What is the story’s setting? (Include place, city, and time in history) Why does O. Henry begin this story with a description of a police officer: “The cop moved along the street, looking strong and important. This was the way he always moved.” What was your impression of Bob at the end of page 60? How did your impression change at the end of page 61? What lesson do you think O. Henry is trying to express here? If you had to name one character as the protagonist and one character as the antagonist, who would they be? Explain your answer. At the end of the story, what is Bob’s problem and how would you suggest he solves it?