2015-08-21
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(William Sydney Porter)
(1862-1910)
ü a well-known short story writer;
ü put the commercial short story on the literary map;
ü works are translated into nearly every language’
ü published 10 collections and over 600 short stories. Among the best:
“The Last Leaf”
“The Gift of the Magi”
“Hearts and Crosses”
“Roads of Destiny”
ü contributed much to the American short story:
a. worked out and enriched such types of stories:
the anecdote, the monologue, the adventure story, the psychological story, the parody, poems in prose, tales, sketches;
b. the central theme was the life of ordinary people;
c. the plots are given a sudden twist to the ironic or unexpected;
d. a master of surprise endings: to give the reader a shock of surprise;
e. an outstanding humorist;
f. the language is slangy, witty, sometimes exaggerated but often unexpectedly exact and “snappy”.
