13. And then he began to knock money.

And he began to speak ill of money.

14. Said the rules of society couldn’t be backed for a yard by a team of ten-millionairs.

Said that a team of ten-millionairs couldn’t change the rules of society even a bit. “To back” means to act, move or stand firm in opposition.

15. Good luck in love she said it brought.

The front position of the object (“good luck in love”) makes it more prominent.

16. …Richard quickly thrust up the trap…

Richard hurriedly raised the window of the carriage that separated the cabman from the passengers.

17. …it looks as if we are stuck.

The use of the indicative mood after the conjunction “as if” shows that comparison here is treated as a fact. It looks as if we are stuck and we really are. Compare with the Russian “Похоже, что мы застряли.”

18. …it was a good bilin’ of soap.

We have produced a good lot of soap. Being a manufacturer of soap - a soap king—old Mr. Rockwall uses this metaphor to show his satisfaction that good results have been achieved.

19. I had to go a little above the estimate.

I had to give in payment more than it had been planned.

20. The cops struck me hardest - $50.

The policeman demanded to be paid more than the rest--$50.

21. Your thousand, and the $300 you were out.

Take your thousand for what you have done and the $300 which you have paid out of your own pocket.

Discussion of the text

1. Characterize the text under study. Comment on the title of the story. What is its stylistic function? Does it produce a comic effect? What literary device is used here?

2. What is the main idea of the excerpt? Say how it is conveyed to the reader? Directly or indirectly? What key is the story written in? How is the problem of money treated in the story? Prove your point citing the text.

3. Give a brief summary of the text. Divide into logically complete parts. Where is the climax of the story? Which part of the story is most informative as to the role of the dollar in American life? discuss the scene described by Kelly, its content and form.

4. Comment on the few final sentences of the story about “a fat boy without any clothes on”. What is the stylistic function of the ending of the story? Is it in keeping with the title? What literary device is used here by the author?

5. Characterize old Mr. Rockwall, Richard and Aunt Ellen. Does O. Henry treat them with sympathy or otherwise? Quote the text. How can the author’s attitude be accounted for?

6. Comment on the use of slang and Americanisms in Mr. Rockwall’s speech. How do they characterize this business tycoon? What words of his show that the old man possesses the sense of humour? Does the author approve of this trait of his character? If so, what does it prove? How does Richard’s speech differ from that of his father? How can it be explained?

7. Speak of the choice of vocabulary in the descriptive and dialogical parts of the text. What is its function? What stylistic devices are used in the text? What is their function?

8. Speak of the syntax of the story.

9. Give a summary of your comments on the text.