What Influences an Author's Writing?
An Internet Hotlist on O. Henry

created by Mrs. Cinco in partnership with Ms. Schibani, Mrs. Flynn, and Mr. Luff
Sagamore Middle School Library

Introduction | Lincoln's Presidency and the Civil War | United States Railroads | Inventions | The Statue of Liberty | Spanish-American-Cuban War and Theodore Roosevelt | Henry Ford's Automobiles


Introduction
 'Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.'
-John Lennon

O'Henry, a.k.a. William Sydney Porter, was born on September 11, 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina and died on June 5, 1910 in New York. Though his life was short, he lived during a period of much change in America. Industry and invention were major factors of this time period. In order for us to gain a deeper understanding of one of the most celebrated authors of the twentieth century, it is essential that we have a solid background of some of the important events that took place during his lifetime. Just like Langston Hughes, authors are influenced by their personal experiences and by the society in which they live. This research project is designed to help give you insight (informed overview) into the historical context of O'Henry's literature.

You are to create a timeline of important events that occurred during O'Henry's lifetime. You will be divided into groups of three or four. In these groups, you will be assigned a specific time period and event to research. Each member of your group will have a set of questions that he/she must answer based on your research. Once you have researched your topic and answered your questions, your group will create its 'section' of the timeline on a large piece of construction paper which will be provided for you. Each group will present, in chronological order (the order in which it happened), its portion of the timeline to the rest of the class. After each section is presentedd, we will have a complete timeline illustrating all the major events that occurred during O'Henry's lifetime.

Now let's look at what was happening in the United States in O'Henry's lifetime to see what might have influenced his writing.


The Internet Resources

Lincoln's Presidency and the Civil War

United States Railroads

Inventions

The Statue of Liberty

Spanish-American-Cuban War and Theodore Roosevelt

Henry Ford's Automobiles
created by Filamentality Content by Mrs. Cinco in partnership with Ms. Schibani, Mrs. Flynn, and Mr. Luff, dcinco@sachem.edu
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listohenryci.html
Last revised Fri Jan 20 9:01:30 US/Pacific 2012