1. “A Retrieved
Reformation”
by
O. Henry

2. Assiduously
(uh SIJ oo us lee)
(adv)

3. In a steady and
hard-working way.

4. Virtuous
(VUR choo us)
(adj)

5. Morally good;
honorable.

6. Compulsory
(kum PUL su ree)
(adj)

7. That which must
be done;
Required.

8. Rehabilitate
(ree huh BIL i tate)
(V)

9. To restore to useful
life, as through
therapy and
education

10. Balk (bahlk)
(V)

11. To refuse to move
or act

12. Eminent
()
(adj)

13. Better than most
others; very
famous

14. Retribution
()
(N)

15. Punishment for
bad behavior

16. Elusive
()
(adj)

17. Escaping from
capture as by
daring, cleverness or
skill.

18. Unobtrusively
()
(Adv)

19. In a way that
attracts little or no
attention.

20. Unperceived
(Ŭn per sēvd)
(Adj)

21. Not seen.

22. The Gilded Age
(1845-1916)
“A Retrieved Reformation” is set in the last
quarter of the 19th century, otherwise known as
“The Gilded Age.”
Gilded= “Covered with Gold”
This was a time of incredible industrial and
economic growth, as well as intense political
corruption.
For many though, this was a time of great
wealth.

23. The Gilded AGe conTinued…
During this time, the railroad system opened up the
country with transportation, and wealthy
entrepreneurs made their fortunes in oil, steel, and
banking. (Examples: Rockefeller, Carnegie, and
Morgan)
Mark Twain and author Charles Dudley Warner
satirized (or made fun of) the pell-mell mood and
decadence of the time called The Gilded Age and
that is how the era came to be known.

24. A few Inventions
Thomas Edison – the
lightbulb, motion picture
camera, radio,
Alexander Graham Bell- the
telephone
Joseph Glidden- barbed wire
Henry Ford- model T Ford

25. A few interesting and
Important Events
Race Riots against Chinese laborers in San
Francisco
National League Baseball plays its 1st game: Boston
against Philadelphia
The Battle of Little Bighorn takes place, an event
known as Custer’s Last Stand
First strict immigration laws passed by President
Cleveland; Ellis Island officially opens
The Titanic sinks

26. “After Twenty
Years”
by
O. Henry

27. Habitual
(Adj)

28. Established by
long use.

29. Vicinity
(vi SIN i tee)
(N)

30. Neighborhood.

31. Staunchest
(STONCH est)
(adj)

32. Strongest; most
determined; most
firm.

33. Dismally
(diz məl lee)
(adv)

34. In a gloomy or
depressed manner.

35. Simultaneously
(si mul TA nee us lee)
(adv)

36. Happening at the
same time.

37. Stalwart
(STAWL wert)
(adj)

38. Strongly and
stoutly built;
sturdy.

39. Destiny (N)

40. Fate or outcome of
a person’s life.

41. Egotism (N)

42. A sense of one’s
own great impor-
tance; conceit.

43. Intricate
(adj)

44. Having many
complexly
arranaged
elements; elaborate.

45. Absurdity
(n)

46. Something that is
unreasonable or
untrue.

47. Literature and History
• O. Henry loved long and fancy words (after
all, he read dictionaries for fun!)
• “After Twenty Years” is plainer than most, but
he still has some typical O. Henry word
choices.
• For example, he uses the phrase “pacific
thoroughfare” to describe a peaceful street.
• As we read, see if you can figure out some of
his amazing language for yourself!

48. The Four Million
• “After Twenty Years” is from his second story
collection, The Four Million
• The collection’s title refers to the population of New
York City in O. Henry’s day.
• O. Henry collected his plots from his experiences in life.
He once even said when asked where he got his plots
that he got them “Everywhere! There are stories in
everything.” He then picked up the menu and
said, “There’s a story in this.”
• As he sat there, he outlined the story “Springtime a la
Carte” about a young couple in a restaurant.

49. Turn of the
Century NYC
Police in the 1890’s

50. FASHION in the 1890’s