Answer the following questions with reference to O. Henry's, short story, Hearts
and Hands!
(a) Justify the statement that "appearances can be deceptive" with reference to
the story
Answers
Answer:
The story “Hearts and Hands” reminds us of the old lesson that appearances can be deceptive. In fact, this has been the main point of the story which begins when an elegant-looking young lady named Miss Fairchild meets by chance her old pal Mr. Easton in a train compartment in the West. Soon after, she discovers that Easton’s right hand is handcuffed to the left hand of another man. At once, she fears that Mr. Easton might have been involved in some criminal activity and so is arrested.
Sensing Mr. Easton’s embarrassment, the second man comes to his rescue by explaining that Mr. Easton is a marshal who is taking him to Leavenworth prison as he has got seven years of jail term for counterfeiting. At once, she recovers from the “bewildered horror” with “a deep breath and returning color”. This is the moment Miss Fairchild probably senses how appearances can be deceptive. Interestingly, she didn’t know that it was actually a part of a larger deception.
Since then she seems to get going well with Mr. Easton. When Miss Fairchild tries to get closer with Easton and says that she also likes the West.