Henry’s Short Story, ‘The Purple Dress’

“Girl in a Lilac-Coloured Dress with Bouquet of Flowers” by Eugene de Blaas. A young woman gives of her heart and receives much more back in "Purple Dress." Public Domain

Though Thanksgiving often associates itself in our minds as a large meal eaten with family or friends, its meaning of giving and giving thanks extends far deeper. O. Henry highlights this in his Thanksgiving story, “The Purple Dress.” Henry follows a young woman, Maida, as she saves to buy a purple dress for a Thanksgiving party.

As Thanksgiving draws nearer, all of the workers at the Bee-Hive Store grow more and more excited. For, every Thanksgiving, the owner of the Bee-Hive Store graciously puts together a feast for all of the workers. With delicious food, music, and dancing, they all have a jolly time.

Anticipating the upcoming party, Maida and one of the other girls, Grace, discuss their planned outfits. Maida plans on wearing a custom-made purple dress with all the special plaits and ribbons to make it perfect. Grace decides to buy a premade, red dress, which she believes Mr. Ramsay will like much better than purple. Maida, Grace, and all of the other salesgirls at the store wish to win Mr. Ramsay, the gentlemanly head clerk.

Giving Freely

For several months, in preparation for the party, Maida saved money to gradually pay the dressmaker to make her beautiful purple dress. Now, the night before Thanksgiving, she has finally saved up enough money. After work, she will go home, get the money, and retrieve her dress.

However, upon returning home, she discovers that the landlady has kicked Grace out of her room. Grace cries bitterly, “She says I’ve got to get out. ... The old beast. Because I owe her $4. She’s put my trunk in the hall and locked the door. I can’t go anywhere else. I haven’t got a cent of money.”

Before she can even think, Maida gives her last, long saved $4 to Grace. The money which she planned to use to buy her purple dress is gone. Yet this gift allows Grace to pay off her debt and secure her room again.

A Kind Dressmaker

The next day arrives and Grace sweeps into Maida’s room in her red dress, excited and ready for the party. However, she discovers that Maida does not plan on going. Maida looks at Grace and says, “I was set on my purple. ... If I can’t have it I won’t go at all. ... You look awful nice in red.”

At the dressmakers, Maida informs him that she cannot buy the dress. But, when she explains herself to him, he responds, referring to the dress as “him”: “Take him away. He is made goot; and if you look bretty in him all right. So. Pay me when you can.” Maida is all aglow with gratitude. She breathes her thanks and takes her purple dress out for a walk in the rain.

“Girl in a Lilac-Coloured Dress with Bouquet of Flowers” by Eugene de Blaas. Public Domain

Through this story, Henry wishes to cultivate in us a spirit of giving and a heart of gratitude. For, when we give what we have willingly, we bestow blessings those around us. And, when we express our gratitude, we continue to bless those who gave.

As W.T. Purkiser says, “Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” So, as we enter Thanksgiving, let us partake in both measures of the holiday: giving and gratitude. In doing so, we harbor a community of blessings and graces.

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