The prison (symbol)
The prison on Blackwell’s Island is the symbol of desired freedom. Soapy had many options to spend the cold months of the winter, but his heart longed for the prison, as it was the place where he would get “food every day and a bed every night”, it was the place that would keep him “safe from the cold north wind and safe from cops”. The symbol is based on the paradox, as the prison for Soapy is the place, where he would be free.
The seat in the park (symbol)
The seat in the park symbolizes an idea that all the people need an attachment. Whether it is an attachment to other people, or to some places – it does not matter, as all the people cannot be fully free from any kind of attachment. In the Soapy’s case such a place it the seat in the Madison Square, which he considers his home. Thus, the seat symbolizes Soapy’s need to belong to some place.
Dead leaf (symbol)
When Soapy woke up in the morning “the dead leaf fell at his feet”, and it “was a special sign for him that winter was coming”. The dead leaf symbolizes the end of the fall and beginning of the winter, or simply it symbolizes changes. The dead leaf bears a meaning not only for Soapy, but “for all who lived in Madison Square” and it was a sign for all of them “to prepare”. The symbols presented by the elements of nature and natural phenomenon are frequently presented in the stories of O. Henry. With the help of these symbols the author emphasizes connection of people and nature.
The anthem (symbol)
Another important symbol of change is the anthem, that Soapy heard in the end of the story. First it reminded Soapy of old days of his life, that “contained such things as mothers and flowers and high hopes and friends and clean thoughts and clean clothes”. These memories produced a change within him, and he decided “to fight to change his life”.
