The Cop and the Anthem Summary
The story is written by O, Henry. It is about a poor, homeless man named Soapy. The winter was arriving which made Soapy worried because he did not have a place to stay.
The 1st to 6th Para:
The 1st to 6th Para “Soapy moved …………. Island better” describe soapy is mind of how to save himself the signs of winter. People buying warm clothes, birds beginning fell at Soapy’s feet which was a special sign for him that the winter was about to arrive. He finally felt that he needed to discover a place to stay in the cold winters. He had very low hopes for his stay, & decided that staying in the black well’s Island prison for 3 months would provide him food everyday along with a bed every night. For years that island was the permanent destination for soapy during winters. There were even places where soapy could stay & got food but there people would question on him so he referred the island.
The 7th 17th Para:
The 7th to 17th Para of the story “Soapy’s spirit was proud …………. Failed two times” describes the various tricks soapy uses to get the cop arrest him & take to the prison. He regarded prison as a place where he could live freely like a gentleman. So he decided to go the island & for that he decided to go on the wrong side of law. The first trick he thought was he would go to a fine restaurant & have his meal there & when they would ask for the bill he would denie that he had no money. He finally went to Madison square. He found a restaurant where the fine people go to have fine food. He believed that his dress above his legs looked all right, his face was clean as well, if he would get a table his plan would be a success. He started of thinking what food he would order, and as he put his foot inside the restaurant, the waiter saw his broken shoes & torn clothes. The waiter strongly & readily turned soapy out of the restaurant. It now seemed that the most easy way to go to the island was not as easy. He started thinking of some other way of getting there. Next he moved towards Sixth Avenue. There he saw a big shop with a big window & lights inside. He picked up a big stone & threw it in the glass window. People came running to see what happened the first one to come was a cop. The cop asked Soapy where the man was. Soapy looked happy & friendly. He replied that he may have done that the cop could not believe & told in return that people who do such crime run away & not stand at a place to be held. Soapy failed two times & felt sick at heart.
The 18th to 27th Para:
The 18th to 27th Para “Across the street was another ……………….. He was like a king who could do no wrong” describe the two other incident he does to get noticed of the cop. Finally he noticed another restaurant across the street. It was no that fine & the food was not so good. He won’t inside, sat & ordered a grand meal. He finished it & when the waiter asked for the bill he told that he had no money. They could call the cops. The waiters finally threw him out of the restaurant. He stood up & cleaned all the dust from his dress. He began thinking that the prison seemed to be a happy dream. He was in the part of the street where lights were brighter, these were theaters all around & women, men wore rich warm coats. He suddenly started to fear that no cop would catch him. He finally thought of a plan & started screaming & dancing near some cops as he was drunk. The cops whispered that he might be a college boy & would not harm anyone. He became quiet & worried. He pulled his coat as the wind was very strong. He moved near a newspaper store. He saw a man with a umbrella buying a newspaper. He took the umbrella & walked away slowly. The man followed him quickly & told that it was his umbrella. Soapy said that he took it & now the man should call the cop. The man finally told that he might be soapy’s umbrella because he had got that from a restaurant in the morning, & walked away. Soapy talked to himself that when he wanted to be held by the cops he is regarded as the king who can never do any mistakes.
The 28th to 33th Para:
The 28th to 33th Para “At last Soapy came to ……………. Judge to soapy next morning” describes how he gets to the prison when his heart had changed. Soapy & sad & started walking towards the streets. At a very quiet corner he found his childhood home. He could see a soft light shining. He began to think of the wonderful moments he had. A peaceful music filled his ears. He remembered about his life & his family. There was a sudden & wonderful change in his mind. He thought how sick days he had spent with no desires , no hopes. In a moment his heart changed & he thought of fighting back. He thought the next day he would find work & would established his position, but then suddenly he could feel a hand at his shoulder. He turned around & found a cop. The cop asked him the reason for hanging out there. Soapy answered he was just moving around. The cop couldn’t believe & Soapy who was full of energy started to argue, which was not at all wise. The cop took soapy along with him. The next morning it was decided that Soapy would be in the island prison for three months.