Best Seller - Summary, Characters and Question answers 

"Best Seller"- Summary:

 "Best Seller" is a short story written by O. Henry, also known as William Sydney Porter. It was first published in 1906. The story revolves around a struggling author named Miss Martha Densmore. She has been writing stories for years but has never achieved commercial success.

Martha receives a rejection letter from a magazine editor, which disheartens her. In her frustration, she decides to quit writing and burn all her manuscripts. However, as she's about to destroy her works, a knock on the door reveals a young boy selling a novel titled "The Rose Lady and Trevelyan." Martha buys the novel, only to discover that it is very similar to a story she had written years ago, titled "The Rose of Dixie." She suspects that her story might have been stolen.

Martha consults with a lawyer and learns that the publisher of "The Rose Lady and Trevelyan" has copyrighted the book under a different title, effectively making her own story a plagiarized version. This legal revelation devastates her. However, the lawyer suggests that she could continue writing new stories. Martha decides to do just that, but with a twist. She begins to write stories with an unusual, unconventional style, and they eventually become successful.

The story "Best Seller" explores themes of intellectual property, creativity, and the persistence of authors in the face of adversity. O. Henry's clever twist at the end of the story showcases the resilience of Martha as a writer.

Best Seller by O' Henry 

Best Seller - Characters:

In O. Henry's short story "Best Seller," there are a few main characters:

1) Miss Martha Densmore:

 The protagonist of the story, Miss Martha Densmore is a struggling author who has been writing stories for years without achieving commercial success. She becomes the central character as she grapples with the challenges of her writing career and the discovery of a potentially stolen story.

2) The Boy: 

A young boy who comes to Martha's door selling a novel titled "The Rose Lady and Trevelyan." His appearance is the catalyst for the events in the story.

3) Mr. Symes:

 Mr. Symes is the lawyer Martha consults after discovering the similarities between her own story, "The Rose of Dixie," and the novel being sold by the boy. He provides her with legal advice and informs her of the situation regarding her story.

While these are the primary characters in "Best Seller," the story also features a few minor characters, including the editor who sends Martha a rejection letter, and the publisher who successfully markets the story that Martha believes is based on her own work.

Best Seller - Question answers 

Q: Who is the protagonist of "Best Seller"?

A: The protagonist of the story is Miss Martha Densmore.

Q: What prompts Martha to consider quitting writing and burning her manuscripts?

A: Martha receives a rejection letter from a magazine editor, which leads to her contemplating quitting writing and destroying her manuscripts.

Q: What does the young boy at Martha's door sell her, and why is it significant?

A: The boy sells her a novel titled "The Rose Lady and Trevelyan." It is significant because Martha believes it to be remarkably similar to her own story, "The Rose of Dixie."

Q: What legal revelation does Martha receive from the lawyer, Mr. Symes?

A: Mr. Symes informs Martha that the publisher of "The Rose Lady and Trevelyan" has copyrighted the book under a different title effectively making her own story a plagiarized version.

Q: How does Martha respond to the legal setback regarding her story?

A: Martha decides to continue writing, but she adopts an unconventional and unique writing style to create stories that eventually become successful.

Q: What are some of the key themes explored in "Best Seller"?

A: Some of the key themes in the story include creativity, the challenges of intellectual property, and the persistence of authors in the face of adversity.

Q: Why does Martha initially believe that her story, "The Rose of Dixie," might have been plagiarized?

A: Martha suspects her story has been plagiarized when she reads the novel "The Rose Lady and Trevelyan," which bears a striking resemblance to her own work.

Q: How does Martha's writing style change after her legal setback?

A: Martha adopts a more unconventional and unique writing style after her legal setback, which leads to her eventual success as a writer.

Q: What is the significance of the title "Best Seller" in the context of the story?

A: The title "Best Seller" is significant because it reflects Martha's journey from being a struggling writer to becoming successful through her innovative and distinctive writing.

Q: How does Martha react when she learns that her story has been copyrighted under a different title?

A: Initially, Martha is devastated upon learning that her story has been copyrighted under a different title. However, she chooses to adapt and continues writing in a new style.

Q: What does "Best Seller" teach us about the resilience of artists and writers in the face of setbacks?

A: "Best Seller" highlights the resilience of artists and writers like Martha, who are willing to adapt, innovate, and persist in their creative pursuits even when faced with obstacles.

Q: What role does the young boy selling the novel play in the story's plot?

A: The young boy's appearance and the novel he sells to Martha serve as the catalyst for the story's events. His visit ultimately leads to Martha's self-discovery and transformation as a writer.