One Thousand Dollars

“Young Gillian gave a decidedly amused laugh as he fingered the thin package of new fifty-dollar notes.”

This line characterizes Gillian and his attitude toward money. He has always had money, so an inheritance of $1,000 is amusing to him. In addition, by using the word “thin,” O. Henry demonstrates that Gillian does not consider $1,000 a sum of any consequence.

“A thousand dollars means much or little.”

This is a philosophical statement by Bryson in the men’s club that highlights the subjectivity of wealth: $1,000 may seem like a trifle to one person, but to another it can cure a disease or prevent starvation. In a highly unequal society like O. Henry’s New York, the rich and poor are incomprehensible to one another because money means different things to each class.

“People might like you, Old Bryson if you wouldn’t moralize. I asked you to tell me what I could do with a thousand dollars.”

This line is the first where we see that Gillian is selfish, shallow, and uncharitable. He doesn’t even consider Bryson’s reasonable suggestions because they are so far from anything he might do with the money. He repeats his question to Bryson because he would never adopt any of the initial proposals.

“Why, Bobby Gillian, there’s only one logical thing you could do.”

Bryson’s use of Gillian’s nickname, Bobby, conveys a connotation that he regards Gillian as a child and demonstrates his view that Gillian is a selfish overgrown boy. His use of the word “logical” also implies that Gillian would never do anything with the money except waste it on materialistic things. He assumes such actions are the only things that would seem logical to Gillian.

“‘Let it in,’ said Miss Lauriere.”

Miss Lauriere’s use of the word “it” in reference to Gillian indicates her feelings toward him. He is not a love interest but an object, a means to her ends. Gillian learns after speaking with her that she doesn’t truly care for him. She cares only about what she can get from him, and a $1,000 pendant is not good enough. This cold exchange sparks the transformation of Gillian’s character.

“‘Open a saloon,’ said the cabby promptly and huskily.”

O. Henry’s use of the word “promptly” suggests that the cabby has been thinking about this question for a long time. He has had the dream so long that he doesn't have to consider what he would do with the money. This conversation also highlights the reality of his situation. His dream may never come to fruition, but he still carries it.

“It showed a balance of $1,785 in the blind man’s credit.”

In this scene with the blind man, Gillian learns not to be deceived by appearances and that one can be content while facing adversity. This line highlights Bryson’s thesis that $1,000 can be much or little. For the blind man, it represents a lifetime of work, while for Gillian it represents an inconsequential and almost annoying sum. This scene is when he realizes that the money may not have much significance to him, but it would for Miss Hayden.

“‘I suppose, of course,’ he said, in a low voice, ‘that you know I love you.’”

Gillian confesses his love to Miss Hayden, and his feelings and reasoning become clear to the reader. Gillian chooses to benefit Miss Hayden at no benefit to himself, and his character begins to transform.

“‘I am sorry,’ said Miss Hayden.”

Miss Hayden does not reciprocate Gillian’s love. This line sets the stage to test Gillian’s character. Will he still give her the $1,000 even though she doesn’t return his love? His choice to do so is his first selfless act.

“Paid by the black sheep, Robert Gillian, $1,000 on the account of the eternal happiness, owed by Heaven to the best and dearest woman on earth.”

Throughout the story, Gillian is referred to as Bobby, both by Bryson and Miss Lauriere. Here we first see him referred to as Robert. His use of his formal name symbolizes how he has grown and changed. In addition, by calling himself the black sheep, he accepts and acknowledges his reputation. He is willing to endure it for Miss Hayden’s happiness.

“I do not wish to encumber your understanding with its legal phraseology, but I will acquaint you with the spirit of its contents.”

This line is the second time Tolman implies Gillian is not intelligent. His belief that Gillian is either not attentive or could not comprehend the information indicates his opinion of the young man. The reader knows by now that Gillian has changed, however, and so this conversation further develops the irony in the story.

“But if—as our client, the late Mr. Gillian, explicitly provides—you have used this money as you have used money in the past—I quote the late Mr. Gillian—in reprehensible dissipation among disreputable associates—the $50,000 is to be paid to Miriam Hayden.”

Septimus expects that Gillian will behave as he did in the past. In this line, however, we learn his uncle’s dying hope: that Gillian may still change and be selfless with his inheritance.

“I lost the thousand dollars on the race.”

The irony is stifling as Gillian lies and confirms his bad reputation rather than speak the truth. He gives up a large inheritance for the happiness of Miss Hayden. This is a true act of sacrifice because those around him will continue to view him as selfish and immature. The irony is that Gillian is the only one who knows that his uncle’s dying wish came true, while everyone else believes he used the money for “reprehensible dissipation among disreputable associates” (83).