irony and plot twists to create unexpected endings in their short stories.
O. Henry, also known as William Sydney Porter, was a master of surprise endings and clever twists. He often used dramatic irony to create a sense of tension and anticipation in his stories. In "The Gift of the Magi," for example, a young couple sacrifices their most prized possessions to buy each other Christmas gifts, only to discover that their gifts are now useless. This story is a classic example of ironic situational reversal, as the characters' kind intentions lead to an unexpected and bittersweet outcome.
Similarly, Guy de Maupassant was known for his subtle, yet devastating twists. In "The Necklace," a woman borrows an expensive diamond necklace to wear to a party, only to lose it and spend years in poverty trying to replace it. The twist at the end of the story reveals that the necklace was actually a fake, rendering her years of hardship pointless. Maupassant also often used dark humor to convey his message, such as in "The Horla," where the protagonist becomes increasingly convinced that an invisible creature is haunting him, only to realize he is actually losing his mind.
In both of these authors' works, irony serves as a powerful tool to engage the reader and create memorable, thought-provoking stories.
in their selection in this unit o . henry and guy de maupassant both employ
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