# Crime and Consequence in Short Fiction

> Theme guide for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

Crime and its aftermath are recurring elements, including the accidental killing in the saloon brawl, the burglar Bill Bassett's escapades, the con games of Jeff and Andy, and the moral weight of financial manipulation, often exploring guilt, escape, and restitution.

## Where it surfaces

- [Lord Oakhurst’s Curse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/lord-oakhurst-s-curse): The curse implies a past transgression and its lingering repercussions on the present.
- [Bexar Scrip No. 2692](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/bexar-scrip-no-2692): Sharp commits fraud and murder to secure land, but his actions lead to guilt and potential exposure.
- [Tracked to Doom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/tracked-to-doom): The murder of Marie Cusheau and the subsequent investigation, though the murderer escapes justice.
- [Hush Money](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/hush-money): The false accusation of bribery leads to a violent confrontation, showing the serious consequences of spreading rumors about crime.
- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/chapter-ii): The chapter presents multiple confessions and suspects for the judge's murder, highlighting the theme of crime and its aftermath.
- [Red Conlin's Eloquence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/red-conlin-s-eloquence): The accidental lynching of an innocent man underscores the grave consequences of vigilante justice.
- [The Rake-Off](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-rake-off): The man's scheme to defraud creditors by hiding money in a toy suggests criminal intent and a lack of moral consequence.
- [A Question of Direction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-question-of-direction): The shooting at a debating society highlights the casual acceptance of lethal violence in response to a perceived threat, blurring the line between crime and social order.
- [The Mirage on the Frio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-mirage-on-the-frio): A Mexican attacker attempts to break into the ranch house; he is found dead from a gunshot, but the shooter remains unknown, leaving the consequence ambiguous.
- [In Mezzotint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/in-mezzotint): The wife's past rejection of the patient leads to his death and her own suicide, implying moral consequences.
- [The Dissipated Jeweler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-dissipated-jeweler): The thief uses a disguise to commit theft, and the detective faces the consequence of his failure, leading to the end of his business.
- [Fox-in-the-Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/fox-in-the-morning): President Miraflores's theft of the treasury and flight with a companion set up a chase to recover the stolen funds, emphasizing the consequences of political corruption.
- [Caught](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/caught): President Miraflores's theft of government funds leads to his flight, suicide, and the loss of the money, highlighting the inevitable repercussions of corruption.
- [The Phonograph and the Graft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-phonograph-and-the-graft): The conspiracy to overthrow the government is thwarted by Mellinger's counter-plot, highlighting the consequences of political corruption.
- [Money Maze](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/money-maze): The investigation into the missing treasury funds and the moral dilemma of blackmail highlight the theme of crime and its repercussions.
- [The Flag Paramount](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-flag-paramount): Sabas is a traitor fleeing execution; the admiral is killed for his loyalty; the escape involves violence and deception.
- [The Remnants of the Code](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-remnants-of-the-code): Blythe's attempted blackmail and Goodwin's counteroffer highlight the moral and practical consequences of criminal actions.
- [Dicky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/dicky): Dicky's assault on the comandante leads to his imprisonment, highlighting the legal and social repercussions of his actions.
- [Rouge Et Noir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/rouge-et-noir): The assassination of President Olivarra and the subsequent tyranny of Losada set the stage for a revolutionary coup, where the son of the murdered president reclaims power.
- [Two Recalls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/two-recalls): O'Day's failed capture and subsequent job loss illustrate the consequences of mistaken assumptions and the blurred lines between crime and diplomacy.
- [Whistling Dick's Christmas Stocking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/whistling-dick-s-christmas-stocking): The planned burglary and Whistling Dick's refusal to participate explore themes of criminality and moral choice.
- [Georgia's Ruling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/georgia-s-ruling): The land sharks' exploitation of legal loopholes to dispossess settlers is portrayed as a form of injustice, countered by the Commissioner's ruling.
- [A Blackjack Bargainer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-blackjack-bargainer): The feud tradition involves a history of violence and murder, and Pike Garvey's moonshining and prison sentence reflect criminal consequences.
- [Cherchez La Femme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/cherchez-la-femme): The unresolved theft of Madame Tibault's legacy and the suspicion cast on Morin's memory drive the plot.
- [The Marionettes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-marionettes): The chapter revolves around burglary, domestic abuse, and death, exploring the immediate and moral consequences of criminal actions.
- [An Afternoon Miracle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/an-afternoon-miracle): Garcia's threat of retribution after being ejected from the saloon and the rangers' duty to prevent violence highlight crime and its consequences.
- [A Call Loan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-call-loan): Tom Merwin's plan to rob a train to repay the loan illustrates the desperate measures driven by financial pressure, but the act is prevented, and the debt is resolved legally.
- [A Departmental Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-departmental-case): Benton Sharp's criminal life and abuse lead to his violent death at the hands of Standifer, who acts outside official channels.
- [The Left Branch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-left-branch): The forced marriage and fatal duel highlight the marquis's cruel abuse of power and its deadly outcome.
- [A Retrieved Reformation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-retrieved-reformation): Jimmy's criminal past and his eventual choice to reform, with Ben Price's decision to overlook his crime.
- [One Dollar's Worth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/one-dollar-s-worth): The chapter explores the consequences of crime through Mexico Sam's revenge plot and Rafael Ortiz's desperate act to save Joya's life.
- [The Whirligig of Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-whirligig-of-life): The robbery of the Justice and the subsequent use of the stolen bill underscore the theme of crime and its unintended consequences.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/iii): The discovery of the skeletons reveals the violent aftermath of a confrontation between Mexican raiders and a lone ranger, highlighting the fatal consequences of criminal activity.
- [A Chaparral Christmas Gift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-chaparral-christmas-gift): The Frio Kid's criminal career, from attempted murder to multiple killings, ends in his own death, illustrating the inevitable consequences of a life of violence.
- [A Chaparral Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-chaparral-prince): The mail robbery by Hondo Bill's gang, which takes an unexpected turn when they show mercy after reading Lena's letter.
- [The Reformation of Calliope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-reformation-of-calliope): Calliope's violent rampage leads to a shootout, but the consequences are subverted by a compassionate resolution.
- [A Matter of Mean Elevation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-matter-of-mean-elevation): The kidnapping of Mlle. Giraud by the Carabobo Indians is a crime that leads to a rescue and escape, highlighting the consequences of taking what one desires.
- [Holding Up a Train](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/holding-up-a-train): The narrator details the practical aspects of train robbery and the inevitable betrayal and danger that follow.
- [A Tempered Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-tempered-wind): The fraudulent scheme and its exposure, followed by the decision to return the money, explore the moral consequences of crime.
- [The Roads We Take](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-roads-we-take): The train robbery and murder of Bob Tidball illustrate the brutal consequences of criminal greed.
- [A Little Talk About Mobs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-little-talk-about-mobs): Discussion of lynching as a form of extrajudicial punishment, with the tall man admitting to participating in one for a theft.
- [The Theory and the Hound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-theory-and-the-hound): The central plot involves Sheriff Plunkett's pursuit of Wade Williams for wife-murder, exploring themes of justice and retribution.
- [The Cop and the Anthem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-cop-and-the-anthem): Soapy's deliberate attempts to commit crimes for arrest are repeatedly thwarted, highlighting the irony of justice.
- [Babes in the Jungle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/babes-in-the-jungle): The planned swindle and the eventual loss of $2,000 highlight the risks of criminal schemes.
- [The Detective Detector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-detective-detector): Knight commits a brazen murder and robbery, then outwits the detective system, highlighting the disconnect between crime and punishment in New York.
- [According to Their Lights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/according-to-their-lights): The Captain's fall from the police force due to corruption and the offer to testify against Pickering highlight themes of crime and its aftermath.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/ii): The chapter centers on a planned kidnapping, with the narrator and Caligula debating its legality and morality, referencing a real-world incident to justify their scheme.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/iii): The kidnapping plot is central to the chapter, though the tone is lighthearted and comedic.
- [The Guilty Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-guilty-party): Liz's threat to 'cut his heart out' and the dream court scene underscore themes of guilt, punishment, and misplaced blame.
- [The Clarion Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-clarion-call): Kernan's murder of Norcross and his subsequent confession highlight the tension between crime and justice.
- [Blind Man's Holiday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/blind-man-s-holiday): The arrested woman is charged with grand larceny for stealing diamonds from her husband; Lorison's bride admits to deception and theft.
- [A Double-Dyed Deceiver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-double-dyed-deceiver): The Kid's initial murder and horse theft set the story in motion, and his final decision is influenced by the memory of the man he killed, who bore the same tattoo.
- [The Ethics of Pig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-ethics-of-pig): Rufe's theft of the pig and Jeff's attempt to claim the reward illustrate petty crime and its ironic consequences, as the reward turns out to be a fake.
- [Past One at Rooney's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/past-one-at-rooney-s): Cork's stabbing of Buck Malone sets off a chain of events leading to his hiding, the meeting at Rooney's, and the final confrontation with the police.
- [The Man Higher Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-man-higher-up): The chapter contrasts different forms of crime—burglary, swindling, and financial fraud—and their varying consequences.
- [The Caballero's Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-caballero-s-way): The Kid's life of murder and outlawry drives the plot, and his revenge leads to Tonia's death and his own escape from justice.
- [The Ransom of Red Chief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-ransom-of-red-chief): The kidnapping scheme backfires spectacularly, showing that crime does not pay and that the perpetrators suffer unexpected consequences.
- [The World and the Door](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-world-and-the-door): Merriam's shooting of Hedges sets off a chain of flight and concealment, though the 'crime' is ultimately undone by Hedges' survival.
- [The Exact Science of Matrimony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-exact-science-of-matrimony): The matrimonial agency is a con game, but the partners avoid legal trouble by ensuring the 'product' is real and by bribing officials.
- [Shearing the Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/shearing-the-wolf): Jeff justifies his theft by framing it as a moral lesson, highlighting the blurred lines between crime and justice among con artists.
- [Conscience in Art](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/conscience-in-art): The theft and fraud are central to the plot, though the perpetrators escape without immediate consequence, highlighting the theme of crime without punishment.
- [The Hiding of Black Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-hiding-of-black-bill): Black Bill's train robbery and the subsequent reward for his capture drive the tension of the story, though he avoids legal consequences through Ham's loyalty.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/iii): Wainwright's execution for betraying state secrets underscores the fatal consequences of his actions.
- [A Municipal Report](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-municipal-report): The narrator becomes an accomplice to a murder after the fact, and the mysterious dollar bill hints at criminal activity.
- [A Technical Error](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-technical-error): The chapter revolves around the murder of Lester Durkee and the abduction of Ella Baynes, with the pursuit driven by a code of vengeance.
- [The Friendly Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-friendly-call): The story alludes to past criminal activities, including burying a dead man and dealing with 'trouble,' suggesting hidden consequences.
- [Law and Order](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/law-and-order): The narrative revolves around a shooting (crime) and the legal and personal consequences, including arrest, custody battles, and the tension between law and familial bonds.
- [The Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-dream): The chapter explores the psychological state of a condemned murderer facing the ultimate penalty for his crime.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/themes/crime_and_consequence
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/themes