Unraveling the Rhetorical Tapestry in The Cop and the Anthem

Abstract

This paper analyzes O. Henry's short story The Cop and the Anthem (1904), exploring how rhetorical devices such as irony, metonymy, and reversal are used to construct a narration that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The story’s humor and subtle social critique, especially for its illustration of urban poverty, are examined in details. These are the revelation of O. Henry’s humor and irony, which are not merely decorative but also essential to the plot and the underlying social critique. The paper also applies Segmented Discourse Representation Theory (SDRT) to analyze the structure of the story, highlighting the coherence and irony created through discourse relations across episodes. The study shows how O. Henry's rhetorical techniques shape character, theme, and plot, demonstrating that his humor guides reader expectations and sharpens the social commentary. Ultimately, the paper highlight how O. Henry’s use of rhetorical devices and discourse structure transforms a simple narrative into a layered critique of early 20th-century urban life.