FOLKLORE PLOT IN O'HENRY'S SHORT STORIES

Abstract

The article deals with the use of American folklore elements on plot level in O' Henry's short stories about the West of the USA. He appealed to the local audience and tried to use the recognizable images and motifs in his works. American West and South are the regions where the oral tradition has not disappeared under pressure of civilization. O. Henry noticed all the features of the life around. He realized and used this folklore tradition in his stories about the West of the USA. He extensively used folk motifs on the plot level of his stories. The action takes place in loci, which were traditional for oral stories. The plots from folk tales of not only white immigrants, but also from the oral tradition of American Indians and African Americans are used. The various motifs from American Frontier folklore are widely used. The result of such a wide use of oral tradition is the works which are recognizable and rememberable for readers.