The irony of Soapy's situation

 Question. O' Henry's satire on the law in "tne Cop and the Anthem". (Nov-08)

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The irony of Soapy's situation. (Apr. 12)

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Soapy's Ironic success. (Nov-06)

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According to you at what point does Soapy deserve to be asserted? Give reasons? (April-09)

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Comment on O' Henry's Presentation of Soapy. (Nov. 09) (April-09)

Answer: (add the relevant introductory part) O' Henry has used satire to point out how when Soapy as a common man was breaking the laws right under the nose of the cops-the guards / protectors of laws - he is not touched by them, but the moment he decides to become a good person he is caught and jailed. This is the irony of Soapy's situation.

Ideally Soapy should have not got jailed at all, but if his getting jailed was essential for the satire, O' Henry has very rightly got him jailed after he has heard the Anthem and has had a change of heart, because otherwise he would never have received a chance to think as a good person and would have continued living a life of an animal. Besides, to effectively jibe at the legal system O' Henry has put forth his story very well.