A Comparative Study of the Short Story Styles of O. Henry and Guy de Maupassant

This paper aims to analyze and compare the short story styles of renowned authors O. Henry and Guy de Maupassant. By closely reading their works and reviewing existing literature, the study examines their unique literary characteristics and artistic styles in terms of language use, narrative techniques, character portrayal, and thematic elements. Adopting a comparative literature approach, combined with close reading and literature analysis, the research involves a detailed examination of their classic short stories. The process includes the following steps: outlining the authors' literary achievements and stylistic backgrounds; analyzing the language, narrative methods, character depiction, and thematic differences in their representative works; exploring cultural and social factors influencing these stylistic traits based on domestic and international research; and finally, summarizing their unique contributions and artistic innovations through a multi-faceted comparison. The findings indicate that O. Henry is known for his humorous language, unexpected endings, and profound depiction of ordinary people, while Maupassant excels in concise language, intricate plot design, and deep social critique. Despite their stylistic differences, both authors exhibit high literary creativity and social awareness within their cultural contexts, significantly impacting subsequent literary works. This study not only enhances the understanding of O. Henry and Maupassant's works but also provides valuable insights for modern short story writing.