Analysis Of O. Henrys art And The Bronco :: essays research papers

Art and the Bronco summaryO. hydrogens "Art and the Bronco" tells the story of Lonny Briscoe, a cowboy who is overly an aspiring artist. It follows his quest to sell his first picture show to the state legislative assembly to have it hung in the capital building. Lonny sees the sale of the painting as administration of his talent and worth as a painter. What he ends up schooling is that the actual value of the painting turns out to be secondary to what other(a) feel they can draw in from it.          The story takes place in San Saba, a place trying to shed its image of "barbarism, lawbreaking, and bloodshed." It presents itself as a often more refined place now, bingle which is now safe for touristry and business. The Legislature was lending subsidy to the arts to enhance this image.      Lonnys painting is hanging in the capital building. It is a large painting "one expertness even say panor ama," depicting a cowboy and steer, hung in a gilt frame.At the capital, we are introduced to senators Kinney and Mullens, who only care about getting what they want from each other and getting re-elected. They see Lonnys painting as a means to both ends. In the beginning, Kinney sees nought of value in Lonnys picture. In fact, he implies that it is awful, saying that he "wouldnt wee-wee six bits for the picture without the frame." Mullens agrees with Kinneys assessment of the painting. He says that the painting is secondary to the artistthe grandson of Lucien Briscoe, a legendary local gun for hire who is said to have "carved the state out of the wilderness." The painting cursorily fades to the background as both the senators see that pushing the state to give this heros grandson money is a quick way to gain public favor.Lonnys cowboy friends ride into town to push the paintings merits as well, adding their admiration for the gilt frame, so big and beautiful . They are very dewy-eyed and undereducated, as evidenced by Skinny Rogers act of leaping forward from the painting yelling "Jeeming Cristopher Thought that rattler was a gin-u-ine one," and are not as concerned about the merits of the painting as they are with the judgement of one of their own getting money for it. They always speak loudly when they think there might be someone around to whom their comments might be "profitably addressed."