作者简介: William Sydney Porter (September 11, 1862—June 5, 1910), known by his pen name O. Henry, is one of the American famous short－story writers.He was born on September 11, 1862, in Greensboro, North Carolina. O.Henry published 10 collections and over 600 short stories during his lifetime.His novels expose the darkness of capitalism from different angles, describe the difficult life of lower class, praise their sincere friendship, love and desire to blessed life. He always write a comedy ending to express deep social meaning, serious social reality and higher level. Furthermore, it points out the inevitability. 背景： Critical realism in Western Europe began to decline when the United States profound changes in social reality cause changes in literature, which is development of realism. It appears in the United States is increasingly decaying stage of capitalism, the transition from capitalism to the era of imperialism. Between the society and class conflict is intensifying. In this period,some small bourgeois writers, from their own class, condemn the evils of the capitalist system, describe the misery of the people, reflect people's grievances against bourgeois regime.But when the turbidity of imperialism came, they despair with the emotional exploration of fate and destiny. However, the spread of Marxist thought, also caused great shock.Some writers took part in the labor movement, and began to create some advanced literature. The works draw materials from real life, reflected lower working people's miserable life, and accused the rulers persecuting people. 西欧批判现实主义文学开始衰落的时候，美国现实社会的深刻变化引起文学的变化，这就是现实主义的兴起和发展。它出现在美国资本主义日趋腐朽的阶段，即由自由资本主义过渡到帝国主义的时代。当时社会贫富对立，阶级矛盾日益激化。这时期一些出身于中小资产阶级的作家，从自身的阶层出发，谴责资本主义制度的罪恶，描写人民的悲惨生活，反映人民对资产阶级统治的不满情绪,可是当帝国主义的浊流来到时，他们又怀着悲观绝望的情绪探索个人的命运和归宿。然而，马克思主义思想的传播，也引起较大震动，一些作家参加工人运动，开始创作一些较先进的文学作品。作品取材于现实生活，反映了下层劳动人民的悲惨生活，控诉了统治者对人民的迫害。 本文来源：https://www.wddqw.com/doc/b7a40b2da5c30c22590102020740be1e650eccb7.html