One Thousand Dollars By O.Henry

Character Young Gillian: (the lead role) He didn’t know how to spend one thousand dollars. He loved Hayden. Lawyers Tolman and Sharp: Gillian’s uncle entrusted him with the property. Old Bryson: Gillian’s rational friend who was asked how to spend $1000 by Gillian. Miss Hayden: Gillian’s uncle was her guardian and she was Gillian’s lover. Miss Lauriere: She is a musical performer. The Cabby: A driver who took Gillian somewhere. A blind man: His bank deposit book showed a balance of $1,785.

The main theme How people can give value to their life by not being greedy

The Author

A Brief Summary This story is about a young man, who is very spoiled. he lives his live gambling. his uncle dies and he inherits 51,000 dolls. he just knows about 1,000 dollars though. his uncle decides to test him, if he spend it responsibly, he will receive the other 50k, but if he doesn't it will be left to another lady which he loves. after he knows about the other money he decides to give her everything by lying and saying he wasted all the money gambling.

Summary of the story In the beginning of the story, Lawyer Tolman gave Gillian one thousand dollars and asked him to give back the account of all the money spent. He didn’t know how to spend one thousand dollars, so he decided to asked other people.

At first, he went to ask Old Bryson who was rational At first, he went to ask Old Bryson who was rational. Old Bryson told Mr. Gillian what he could do in sarcasm. .

And then he went to see a musical performer, whose name was Miss Lauriere. She also gave him an answer about how to spend $1000. Mr. Gillian asked the taxi driver the same question but his answer was also not the way he wanted to spend.

He got out of the taxi and met a pencil dealer who was blind He got out of the taxi and met a pencil dealer who was blind. He saw the blind man had more money than $1000. Suddenly, he knew how to spend. He went to see the lawyer and asked him a question to make sure of something.

Finally, he visited Miss Hayden Finally, he visited Miss Hayden. He also told her he loved her and gave her $1000. Miss Hayden refused his love but accepted his money. And then he wrote an account which showed how he spent $1000. Now he was ready to give this account to the lawyer.

At that moment, Mr. Tolman and Mr At that moment, Mr. Tolman and Mr. Sharp, the two lawyers, told Gillian that if the account showed he had used $1000 as he spent money in the past, bonds of $50,000 would be paid to Hayden. Hearing this, Gillian tore the account, telling the lawyers that he had lost money on the races and then left, whistling gayly.

Reflections TSAI,YI-FANG Money should be used for something useful, important, and valuable. We usually spend money without thinking and always buy something in order to satisfy our temporary desire. Besides, in the story, Gillian asked many people "What would you do with a thousand dollars if you had it?“ His acts showed his attitude when he was faced with difficulties. It’s what we can learn.

CHANG,YUN-RUEY: Gillian found the solution by asking questions. He realized what he would like to do gradually. Finally, he made sure giving his lover the money was the best way .

CHEN,REN-SHIUAN: Money is not everything. I don’t like people always view money as everything, pursuing money all their lives. It’s not worthwhile. I think there is many wonderful things in the world. Money can’t buy everything especially “the true happiness”.

Questions of the story Questions: 1. How many people had been asked by Gillian about how to spend that money? 2. What did the cabby suggest that he should do? 3. Finally, what did Gillian do? Answer: 1. 4 persons: old Bryson, Miss Lauriere, cabby, and a blind man. 2. According to page 174, the cabby suggested that Gillian open a s’loon on a corner. 3. Gillian gave one thousand to Miss Hayden.

(1)If you had one thousand dollars what would you do? (2)If you were Gillian, would you tear the envelope into strips and drop them into your pocket without delay upon hearing lawyer announcing his uncle’s codicil? (3)Which do you feel is worth doing?

Difficulties We try and try to understand if Miss Hayden loved Gillian or not. I wonder why Hayden took the money, but refused him. It doesn’t make sense.

Money is just paper.