Thanksgiving Story O. Henry

SYMBOLISM

I saw the Old Gentlemen as representing the determination of people to to keep with tradition and make sacrifices ino order to bring happiness to others.

1. Thanksgiving is an "exclusivly American" tradition. It is a sourse of pride for us because it is one of our only "exclusivly American" tradition.

O. Henry writes, "Truly, the annual feeling of Stuffy Pete was nothing national in its character, such as the Magna Charta or jam for breakfast was in England."

2. Tradition is an important sourse of stability in peoples' lives. Holiday traditions especially are a time where we make sacrifices in order to make others happy. The old man, who had been buying Stuffy Pete a dinner for 9 years, sacrificed 3 days worth of meals so he could have enough money to take Stuffy out again that year. Its like Christmas for a stuggling family; even though they might not have enough money they try their best to have presents for each other.