The Cop and the Anthem — Study Notes

1. Introduction

"The Cop and the Anthem" is a humorous and ironic short story from the NCERT Class 7 textbook "An Alien Hand". It is written by O. Henry, the famous American short-story writer. The story is about a homeless man named Soapy who lives on the streets of New York.

Soapy is cold and hungry as winter approaches. He decides that his best option is to get arrested and spend the winter in prison, where he will have food and shelter. He tries various ways to get arrested - stealing, causing a disturbance, and more - but every attempt fails amusingly.

The story reaches its ironic climax when Soapy, after failing to be arrested, suddenly feels inspired to change his life and find honest work. Just then, a policeman arrests him for loitering. The story's twist ending - Soapy finally getting what he wanted but no longer wanting it - is a classic example of O. Henry's style.

2. Author

The story is written by O. Henry, the pen name of William Sydney Porter (1862-1910), one of America's most beloved short-story writers. O. Henry is famous for his surprise endings and his vivid portrayal of ordinary people, especially in New York City. His stories often combine humour, irony and compassion. "The Cop and the Anthem" is one of his best-known tales, celebrated for its ironic twist and its sympathetic portrayal of a man living on the margins of society. O. Henry's influence on the short story is immense, and his "O. Henry endings" are a recognised literary term.

3. Summary

Soapy is a homeless man in New York. As winter approaches, he knows he needs shelter. Instead of seeking honest work, he plans to get himself arrested so he can spend the winter in prison, where he will have a warm bed and regular meals. The prison on Blackwell's Island is his goal.

Soapy tries several schemes to get arrested. First, he enters a grand restaurant planning to eat and refuse to pay, but the waiter throws him out before he can order. He tries to break a shop window, but when the police see him standing still after the crime, they think he is the culprit... no, they chase him and he escapes, but he is not arrested. Actually, when he broke the window, the policeman did not believe he was the thief because he was standing quietly, so he escaped. He tries to steal an umbrella, but the umbrella's owner refuses to be robbed and keeps his umbrella. He creates a disturbance by shouting like a drunk, but the policeman mistakes him for a college student celebrating.

Frustrated, Soapy gives up trying to get arrested. He wanders to a church and hears an anthem being played. The music touches his heart, and he feels inspired to change his life - to find a job and become a respectable man. Just as he resolves to start anew, a policeman taps him on the shoulder and arrests him for loitering. Soapy is sentenced to three months in prison - finally getting the shelter he wanted, but for all the wrong reasons.

4. Characters

5. Theme

The central theme of the story is irony of fate. Soapy cannot get arrested when he wants to be, but is arrested the moment he decides to reform. Another theme is the harsh realities of poverty and homelessness: Soapy's only plan for survival is to go to prison. The story also explores the power of a moment of inspiration: the anthem from the church moves Soapy to want a better life, showing that goodness can awaken in anyone. Through humour and irony, O. Henry comments on fate, society and the struggle of the poor.

6. Literary Devices

• Irony: The story's central device - Soapy is arrested when he no longer wants to be.
• Humour: Soapy's failed attempts to be arrested are comic.
• Satire: The story mocks society's attitude towards the homeless and the justice system.
• Symbolism: The anthem symbolises hope and the possibility of a better life.
• Twist ending: The surprise conclusion is a hallmark of O. Henry.
• Pathos: Beneath the humour lies sympathy for Soapy.

7. Quick Revision Tables

Table 1: Soapy's Failed Attempts

Table 2: The Irony of the Ending

8. Mind Map

9. Important Diagrams (SVG)

Diagram 1: The Irony of Fate

Diagram 2: The Anthem's Influence

10. Common Mistakes

1. Students often think Soapy actually succeeds in getting arrested early in the story; all his attempts fail.
2. Many believe Soapy breaks the window and gets arrested; he is not arrested for the window - the cop does not believe he is the thief.
3. Students sometimes say Soapy steals the umbrella successfully; the owner refuses to give it up.
4. Some students think the anthem makes Soapy sad; it inspires him to reform.
5. Students frequently say Soapy is arrested for theft; he is arrested for loitering.
6. Many forget the author; it is O. Henry (William Sydney Porter).
7. Students sometimes miss the irony: Soapy gets what he wanted only when he no longer wants it.

11. Exam Tips

1. Memorise the author's name: O. Henry.
2. List all four failed attempts to get arrested.
3. Explain the ending clearly - the irony of fate.
4. State the theme: the irony of fate and the possibility of change.
5. Practise explaining how the anthem inspired Soapy.
6. Be ready to describe Soapy's character: homeless, cunning, pathetic, but capable of good intentions.
7. Remember Soapy's sentence: three months in prison on Blackwell's Island.

12. Conclusion

"The Cop and the Anthem" is a masterful blend of humour, pathos and irony. Soapy's desperate plan to spend winter in prison, and the comedy of his failed attempts, make the reader laugh, but the story's deeper layers invite sympathy for the poor and homeless. When the anthem inspires Soapy to reform, O. Henry seems to offer hope - only to snatch it away in the final ironic twist. The story's enduring appeal lies in this twist ending and its gentle commentary on fate and human weakness. It reminds us that life rarely follows our plans and that moments of inspiration, if not acted upon, can be lost in an instant.