O Henri's, " Diamond of Kali"?

Question

Can someone please explain this story to me? Thx

Answer 1

I love O Henry- his writing, word usage and plot twists are delicious! Often I read his stories without trying to read too much into them- I just enjoy the imagery.
As nearly as I can tell, this story is about a man who stole something (a diamond) but didn't consider it theft because he got it from people who were completely taken up with 'worshipping' coarse things in life. Having stolen the diamond, he couldn't resist showing it off to others (although he himself says he didn't advertise the fact, the street thugs at the end make it clear that they'd seen him flashing it). In the end, he loses the diamond because of that, proving that he was little more than a ‘fancy guy’ himself- (a reference to ‘The Phansigars’, or Thugs- the name of the tribe from which the diamond was stolen probably is a play on 'fancy guys'- which the reporter actually mentions in the story and which he also mistakenly calls 'the Pharisees'). I wonder if the reference to ‘cows’ and ‘pumps’ as sacred items is referring to what Henry saw as the absurdity of institutions in society that we hide behind so that no one can touch us- (this could be what many today refer to as ‘pulling the race card’ or ‘sexual harassment’- plead that and the other side has to let up… just a guess).
I suppose the cleaning lady that found the diamond is the one who became the 'niece' at the end and went on the stage.

To put it briefly, I think this story is a critique, by Henry of the hypocrisy of the society in which he was living- too taken up with glitz and glitter and few morals to go along with it. (Do you see a correlation to our own society?)

Interesting story! Enjoyed this! Is it clearer... or muddier???