Question

in the cop and the anthem soapy wants to go to jail

Answer 1

In O. Henry's short story "The Cop and the Anthem," the main character, Soapy, is a homeless man living on the streets of New York City. As winter approaches, Soapy desires to escape the cold and harsh realities of life outside, so he decides that the best way to achieve this is to go to jail for the winter. He believes that being incarcerated will provide him with food and warmth.

Throughout the story, Soapy tries various methods to get arrested, such as attempting to break the law in minor ways like dining and dashing, vandalizing property, and behaving poorly in public. However, each of his attempts fails for different reasons, often due to the indifference of the people around him or the police themselves.

As he continues to seek a way to get arrested, Soapy reflects on his life and the societal conditions that led him to this point. The story ultimately takes a turn when, just as he's accepted his fate and feels a renewed sense of hope, he unexpectedly finds himself moved by the beauty of a church anthem, leading him to reconsider his choices.

The narrative examines themes of social status, the human condition, and the desire for change, ultimately culminating in Soapy's realization that he might not truly want to go to jail after all. The story ends on an ambiguous note, suggesting both the struggles of the homeless and the fleeting nature of hope.