Question

did Gillan do the right thing by forgoing 5000 dollars ? discuss
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Answer 1

Answer:

In One Thousand Dollars by O. Henry we have the theme of selflessness, love, devotion and change. Taken from his Selected Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Henry may be exploring the theme of selflessness. Though Gillian has the opportunity to spend his Uncle’s inheritance on himself he decides against doing so preferring instead to give the money to Miss Hayden. This action is important as it suggests that Gillian has changed. Rather than spending the money on himself or on gambling he has thought about someone else. Someone that he is very much in love with if not devoted to. Something that the reader is aware of from the note that Gillian writes after giving the money to Miss Hayden. He writes of the eternal happiness that Miss Hayden brings him considering her to be the ‘best and dearest woman on earth’. Which suggests that Gillian is not only devoted to Miss Hayden but he is also very much in love with her. Rather than thinking about himself Gillian has thought about somebody else, somebody who might need the money more than he does. It is also possible that Gillian through his lifestyle choices is also aware that should he keep the money for himself he will only squander it. Gillian may be actually tired of how he lives his life and as such is seeking, through his actions, to change.

Explanation:

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