Short Fiction · Chapter
The Dream explained
Murray, a condemned man awaiting execution in the electric chair, reflects on his fate and the other prisoners in Limbo Lane.
What happens
Murray, a condemned man awaiting execution in the electric chair, reflects on his fate and the other prisoners in Limbo Lane. As the hour of his death approaches, he experiences a vivid dream of a peaceful life with a wife and child, only to realize too late that he has dreamed the wrong dream. The chapter includes O. Henry's own notes on his intention to write a new, more serious style of story.
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 Falling action.
- 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
- Crime and Consequence
The chapter explores the psychological state of a condemned murderer facing the ultimate penalty for his crime.
- Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Murray's dream presents a false reality of happiness and innocence, contrasting sharply with his actual fate.
Characters to notice
- Young Murray
The condemned protagonist awaiting execution in the electric chair.
- Bonifacio
A Sicilian inmate who calls out to Murray, displaying hardened philosophy and camaraderie.
Key passages
“Murray had dreamed the wrong dream.”
Murray's final vision of a happy life was a cruel illusion, not the truth.
The story's central ironic twist: the dream offers false hope.
“I want to show the public that I can write something new—new for me, I mean—a story without slang, a straightforward dramatic plot treated in a way that will come nearer my idea of real story-writing.”
O. Henry intended this story to mark a departure from his usual style, aiming for a more serious and conventional narrative.
Author's own commentary on his artistic ambition for this piece.
