A Walk in Amnesia is a short story that discusses notions of personal identity, the effects of overworking, and the pursuit of freedom. The journey of the protagonist emphasizes the significance of balance, self-discovery, and connection to one’s past.
William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry, is an American writer known primarily for his short stories. Porter’s stories are known for their naturalist observations, witty narration, and surprise endings.
A Walk in Amnesia | Summary
Elwyn, the story’s main character, is a lawyer. The story starts with him leaving for his office as usual and bidding his wife goodbye. They drink tea, as usual, and the woman walks her husband to the door while straightening his coat. Something that she always does. She urges him to take care of himself. The protagonist, Elwyn, is urged to work less diligently by the lawyer’s friend, the doctor. He constantly puts his health in danger and is overburdened. The doctor warns him about developing Amnesia.
The man is certain that he has slept well enough and has nothing to worry about. He has weekly plans with his wife that give him the required breaks from his work, or so he believes. But shortly after, the man wakes up on a train. It appears to him that he has slept for a very long period. He realizes he can’t recall his name. His pockets contain no documents or any sort of identity. Only a sizable sum of money is present. Doctor Volney, the protagonist’s friend, had advised him earlier to lessen his work burden and take some for himself, or he would get amnesia, and it seems like he is suffering from amnesia away from home.
Later on in the story, the main character assumes the name Edward Pinkhammer and begins to lead a deluded existence. His first thought is to have a name, and he gives himself one. Everything that the narrator couldn’t focus on or didn’t have time for earlier is done by him now, in a new place, with a new name.
Later on, he starts to meet people who identify him as his original identity, and towards the end of the story, his wife and his friend cum doctor come to take him home.
A Walk in Amnesia | Analysis
The narrative describes the experience of a man who develops amnesia and wakes up on a train without being able to recall who he is. He adopts Edward Pinkhammer’s name and begins a new life in New York. However, interactions with notable people, such as a woman claiming to be his wife and his friend and doctor Dr. Volney, confuse and put his newly discovered identity into question.
Elwyn C. Belford, a prominent Denver attorney, is revealed to be the protagonist’s real identity as the plot develops. His friend Dr. Volney reveals to him who he is and that his wife was upset when he vanished. Elwyn strives to recall his history and make sense of his present circumstances in light of the memories he has lost as a result of amnesia.
The narrative poses issues concerning one’s sense of self, the effects of excessive effort, and the longing for freedom. Elwyn’s choice to take on a new name and live carefree in New York is a reflection of his desire for a new beginning and a release from the stresses of his old life. But his interactions with well-known people and the strong emotional bonds he forms with them suggest a more profound yearning for his former self and the life he had.
The story is left unfinished by the narrator, but it serves as a prelude to Elwyn’s quest to rediscover himself with the aid of Dr. Volney and his wife. Themes of identity, amnesia, the effects of overworking, and the desire for independence are all explored in this narrative work of fiction. To improve the tale and hold the reader’s attention, it makes use of many literary techniques. The reader can experience the events through the protagonist’s eyes because the novel is told in the first person. This viewpoint fosters a feeling of closeness and immediateness. The language is as though the reader feels themselves to be as perplexed as the narrator-protagonist.
Early on in the narrative, there is a reference to amnesia, which foreshadows the protagonist’s struggle with memory loss and establishes the main conflict. This foreboding is further supported by the news report of an individual who has amnesia, which was a hint towards the protagonist’s condition. It serves as irony that the protagonist initially wanted independence and an escape from his life, but as a result of amnesia, he ended up confined and bewildered. The conflict between his desire to live blissfully as Edward Pinkhammer and his longing for his true identity gives the story more complexity. He was overwhelmed in his previous actual life but in constant denial of his need for a break. When he wouldn’t give himself a break and rest, life found its way of giving him a break.
The protagonist’s past and his relationship with the woman who knows him as Elwyn Bellford are symbolized by the white roses that are referenced in the novel. They stand in for the memories and feelings that are still present but that he is unable to recall. The narrative’s straightforward language sheds light on the protagonist’s inner conflicts as he attempts to preserve his new identity as Edward Pinkhammer while navigating his amnesia. The protagonist’s former existence in Denver and the busy city of New York serve as sharp contrasts that highlight the distinctions between his old and new identities. The description of the tranquil life in Denver implies stability and routine, whereas the dynamic atmosphere of New York represents freedom and excitement. The protagonist’s personality is created through interactions with people like Dr. Volney and the woman who says she is his wife. His initial excitement at his new identity slowly gives way to confusion and a longing to recall who he is.
The story serves as a timely reminder to take care of oneself, to take good care of one’s health, and to not overlook the things we long for, like the sensation of freedom. The glorified work environment can tend to be very competitive and emptying for people in jobs especially given the society we live in today. It becomes a focal point to take care of one’s mental as well as physical health while pursuing jobs that would coherently require a large portion of your time and hard work.
