Short Fiction · Chapter
Had a Use for It explained
A man brings a lengthy handwritten refutation of the President's message to a Texas newspaper editor, who, desperate for content to fill his pages, accepts it and then has his staff erase the text to reuse the paper.
What happens
A man brings a lengthy handwritten refutation of the President's message to a Texas newspaper editor, who, desperate for content to fill his pages, accepts it and then has his staff erase the text to reuse the paper.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it captures the precise moment the protagonist’s humor shifts f…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Humor and Irony
The editor's practical solution to a financial problem—erasing the manuscript to reuse the paper—is presented with ironic humor.
- Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
The editor pretends to value the manuscript for its content, but actually intends to erase it, deceiving the author.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator describes the scene and the editor's thoughts.
- William Wagstaff Confesses to Editor
The editor who receives the manuscript and devises a plan to reuse the paper.
Key passages
“I’ve worked nineteen hours upon it, but it’s done at last.”
The author proudly announces completion of his lengthy manuscript after nearly a day of labor.
Highlights the author's earnest effort and the irony of its fate.
“You can leave it; I have no doubt I can use it to advantage.”
The editor accepts the manuscript, implying he will put it to good use, though his true intention is to erase it.
Demonstrates the editor's deceptive practicality.
