CHAPTER IV DATA AND DATA ANALYSIS
B. Data Analysis
The data was analyzed based on the technique of collecting data in the chapter 3. There are four short stories written by O. Henry which were analyzed in terms of lexical density. The content words ( lexical items) were marked in bold and the unbold words are function words (grammatical items). Lexical Density was calculated by using Ure’s formula. It can be known by dividing the lexical items to the total number of words and multiplied by one hundred. The result of analysis are:
25
Table 4.1
Data of Short Stories Written by O. Henry 1. The Little Match Girl
Sentences Content
Words
Function Words
Most terribly cold it was; it snowed, and was nearly quite dark, and evening- the last evening of the year.
10 10
In this cold and darkness there went along the street a poor little girl, bareheaded, and with naked feet.
11 8
When she left home she had slippers on, it is true; but what was the good of that? They were very large slippers, which her mother had hitherto worn; so large were they; and the poor little thing lost them as she scuffled away across the street, because of two carriages that rolled by dreadfully fast.
25 31
One slipper was nowhere to be found; the other had been laid hold of by an urchin, and off he ran with it; he thought it would do capitally for a cradle when he some day or other should have children himself.
12 30
So the little maiden walked on with her tiny naked feet, that were quite red and blue from cold.
11 8
She carried a quantity of matches in an old apron, and she held a bundle of them in her hand.
8 12
Nobody had bought anything of her the whole livelong day; no one had given her a single farthing.
6 12
She crept along trembling with cold and hunger- -a very picture of sorrow the poor little thing!
10 7
The flakes of snow covered her long fair hair, 13 14
which fell in beautiful curls around her neck; but of that, of course, she never once now thought.
From all the windows the candles were gleaming, and it smelt so deliciously of roast goose, for you know it was New Year's Eve; yes, of that she thought.
12 17
In a corner formed by two houses, of which one advanced more than the other, she seated herself down and cowered together.
8 14
Her little feet she had drawn close up to her, but she grew colder and colder, and to go home she did not venture, for she had not sold any matches and could not bring a farthing of money: from her father she would certainly get blows, and at home it was cold too, for above her she had only the roof, through which the wind whistled, even though the largest cracks were stopped up with straw and rags.
32 47
Her little hands were almost numbed with cold. 5 3
Oh! a match might afford her a world of comfort, if she only dared take a single one out of the bundle, draw it against the wall, and warm her fingers by it.
13 20
She drew one out. 2 2
"Rischt!" how it blazed, how it burnt! It was a warm, bright flame, like a candle, as she held her hands over it: it was a wonderful light.
10 18
It seemed really to the little maiden as though she were sitting before a large iron stove, with burnished brass feet and a brass ornament at top.
14 13
The fire burned with such blessed influence; it warmed so delightfully.
6 5
The little girl had already stretched out her feet to warm them too; but-the small flame went out, the stove vanished: she had only the remains of the burntout match in her hand.
18 15
She rubbed another against the wall: it burned brightly, and where the light fell on the wall, there the wall became transparent like a veil, so that she could see into the room.
14 19
On the table was spread a snow-white tablecloth; upon it was a splendid porcelain service, and the roast goose was steaming
16 15
27
famously with its stuffing of apple and dried plums.
And what was still more capital to behold was, the goose hopped down from the dish, reeled about on the floor with knife and fork in its breast, till it came up to the poor little girl;
when--the match went out and nothing but the thick, cold, damp wall was left behind.
24 29
She lighted another match. 2 2
Now there she was sitting under the most magnificent Christmas tree: it was still larger, and more decorated than the one which she had seen through the glass door in the rich merchant's house.
14 20
Thousands of lights were burning on the green branches, and gaily-colored pictures, such as she had seen in the shop-windows, looked down upon her.
13 13
The little maiden stretched out her hands towards them when--the match went out.
8 6
The lights of the Christmas tree rose higher and higher, she saw them now as stars in heaven;
one fell down and formed a long trail of fire.
16 12
"Someone is just dead!" said the little girl; for her old grandmother, the only person who had loved her, and who was now no more, had told her, that when a star falls, a soul ascends to God.
16 22
She drew another match against the wall: it was again light, and in the lustre there stood the old grandmother, so bright and radiant, so mild, and with such an expression of love.
15 18
"Grandmother!" cried the little one. 3 2
"Oh, take me with you! You go away when the match burns out; you vanish like the warm stove, like the delicious roast goose, and like the magnificent Christmas tree!"
15 15
And she rubbed the whole bundle of matches quickly against the wall, for she wanted to be quite sure of keeping her grandmother near her.
10 15
And the matches gave such a brilliant light that it was brighter than at noonday: never formerly had the grandmother been so beautiful and so tall.
11 15
She took the little maiden, on her arm, and both flew in brightness and in joy so high, so very
14 21
high, and then above was neither cold, nor hunger, nor anxiety--they were with God.
But in the corner, at the cold hour of dawn, sat the poor girl, with rosy cheeks and with a smiling mouth, leaning against the wall--frozen to death on the last evening of the old year.
19 18
Stiff and stark sat the child there with her matches, of which one bundle had been burnt.
8 9
"She wanted to warm herself," people said. 4 3 No one had the slightest suspicion of what
beautiful things she had seen; no one even dreamed of the splendor in which, with her grandmother she had entered on the joys of a new year.
12 23
Total : 460 563
Lexical Density =
x 100
Lexical Density =
x 100
Lexical Density = 44.9 %
Based on the result above, The Litte Match Girl has 44.9 % lexical density. Regarding to Ure’s explanation, if number surpasses 40 %, it accounts for high lexical density. So, this short story has high lexical density.
2. Hearts and Hands
Sentences Content
Words
Function Words At Denver there was an influx of passengers into
the coaches on the eastbound B. & M. express.
9 9
In one coach there sat a very pretty young woman dressed in elegant taste and surrounded by all the luxurious comforts of an experienced traveler.
15 10
29
Among the newcomers were two young men, one of handsome presence with a bold, frank countenance and manner; the other a ruffled, glum-faced person, heavily built and roughly dressed.
17 13
The two were handcuffed together. 2 3
As they passed down the aisle of the coach the only vacant seat offered was a reversed one facing the attractive young woman.
13 10
Here the linked couple seated themselves. 4 2 The young woman's glance fell upon them with a
distant, swift disinterest; then with a lovely smile brightening her countenance and a tender pink tingeing her rounded cheeks, she held out a little gray gloved hand.
22 14
When she spoke her voice, full, sweet, and deliberate, proclaimed that its owner was accustomed to speak and be heard.
10 10
"Well, Mr. Easton, if you will make me speak first, I suppose I must.
6 8
Don't you ever recognize old friends when you meet them in the West?".
6 7
The younger man roused himself sharply at the sound of her voice, seemed to struggle with a slight embarrassment which he threw off instantly, and then clasped her fingers with his left hand.
17 16
"It's Miss Fairchild," he said, with a smile. 4 4
"I'll ask you to excuse the other hand; "it's otherwise engaged just at present."
5 9
He slightly raised his right hand, bound at the wrist by the shining "bracelet" to the left one of his companion.
10 11
The glad look in the girl's eyes slowly changed to a bewildered horror.
8 5
The glow faded from her cheeks. 3 3
Her lips parted in a vague, relaxing distress. 5 3 Easton, with a little laugh, as if amused, was
about to speak again when the other forestalled him.
7 11
The glum faced man had been watching the girl's countenance with veiled glances from his keen, shrewd eyes.
11 7
"You'll excuse me for speaking, miss, but, I see you're acquainted with the marshall here.
7 8
If you'll ask him to speak a word for me when we get to the pen he'll do it, and it'll make things easier for me there.
10 17
He's taking me to Leavenworth prison. 3 3
It's seven years for counterfeiting. 2 3
"Oh!" said the girl, with a deep breath and returning color.
6 5
"So that is what you are doing out here? A marshal! "My dear Miss Fairchild," said Easton, calmly, "I had to do something.
11 12
Money has a way of taking wings unto itself, and you know it takes money to keep step with our crowd in Washington.
11 12
I saw this opening in the West, and--well, a marshalship isn't quite as high a position as that of ambassador, but--" "The ambassador," said the girl, warmly, "doesn't call any more.
14 18
He needn't ever have done so. 3 3
You ought to know that. 1 4
And so now you are one of these dashing Western heroes, and you ride and shoot and go into all kinds of dangers.
9 14
That's different from the Washington life. 3 3
You have been missed from the old crowd." 3 5 The girl's eyes, fascinated, went back, widening
a little, to rest upon the glittering handcuffs.
10 5
"Don't you worry about them, miss," said the other man.
4 6
"All marshals handcuff themselves to their prisoners to keep them from getting away.
6 7
Mr. Easton knows his business." 4 1
"Will we see you again soon in Washington?"
asked the girl.
6 5
"Not soon, I think," said Easton. 4 2
"My butterfly days are over, I fear." 4 3
"I love the West," said the girl irrelevantly 5 3
Her eyes were shining softly. 3 2
She looked away out the car window. 4 3
She began to speak truly and simply without the gloss of style and manner: "Mamma and I spent the summer in Denver.
11 11
She went home a week ago because father was slightly ill.
7 4
I could live and be happy in the West. 3 6
I think the air here agrees with me. 4 4
31
Money isn't everything, but people always misunderstand things and remain stupid--"
7 4
"Say, Mr. Marshal," growled the glum faced man.
7 1
"This isn't quite fair. 2 2
I'm needing a drink, and haven't had a smoke all day.
4 7
Haven't you talked long enough? Take me in the smoker now, won't you? I'm half dead for a pipe.
8 11
" The bound travelers rose to their feet, Easton with the same slow smile on his face.
9 7
"I can't deny a petition for tobacco," he said, lightly.
5 5
"It's the one friend of the unfortunate. 2 5
Good bye, Miss Fairchild. 4 0
Duty calls, you know." 3 1
He held out his hand for a farewell. 4 4
"It's too bad you are not going East," she said, reclothing herself with manner and style.
8 8
"But you must go on to Leavenworth, I suppose?" "Yes," said Easton, "I must go on to Leavenworth."
9 9
The two men sidled down the aisle into the smoker.
5 5
The two passengers in a seat near by had heard most of the conversation.
4 10
Said one of them: "That marshal's a good sort of chap.
5 6
Some of these Western fellows are all right." 3 5
"Pretty young to hold an office like that, isn't he?" asked the other.
5 8
"Young!" exclaimed the first speaker, "why--Oh!
didn't you catch on? Say--did you ever know an officer to handcuff a prisoner to his right hand?”.
13 13
Total : 439 435
Lexical Density =
x 100
Lexical Density =
x 100
Lexical Density = 50.2 %
Based on the result above, Hearts and Hands has 50.2 % lexical density.
Regarding to Ure’s explanation, if number surpasses 40 %, it accounts for high lexical density. So, this short story has high lexical density.
3. The Gift of The Magi
Sentences Content
Words
Function Words
One dollar and eighty-seven cents. 2 4
That was all. 0 0
And sixty cents of it was in pennies. 2 6
Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one's cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied.
16 18
Three times Della counted it. 3 2
One dollar and eighty-seven cents. 2 4
And the next day would be Christmas. 2 5
There was clearly nothing left to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl.
9 8
So Della did it. 2 2
Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.
11 7
While the mistress of the home is gradually subsiding from the first stage to the second, take a look at the home.
8 14
A furnished flat at $8 per week. 3 4
It did not exactly beggar description, but it certainly had that word on the lookout for the mendicancy squad.
8 12
In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring.
11 16
Also appertaining thereunto was a card bearing the name "Mr. James Dillingham Young."
9 4
The "Dillingham" had been flung to the breeze during a former period of prosperity when its possessor was being paid $30 per week.
9 14
33
Now, when the income was shrunk to $20, the letters of "Dillingham" looked blurred, as though they were thinking seriously of contracting to a modest and unassuming D.
13 15
But whenever Mr. James Dillingham Young came home and reached his flat above he was called "Jim" and greatly hugged by Mrs. James Dillingham Young, already introduced to you as Della.
18 13
Which is all very good. 2 3
Della finished her cry and attended to her cheeks with the powder rag.
7 6
She stood by the window and looked out dully at a grey cat walking a grey fence in a grey backyard.
12 9
Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present.
7 10
She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result.
4 9
Twenty dollars a week doesn't go far. 4 3
Expenses had been greater than she had calculated.
3 5
They always are. 1 2
Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. 4 4
Her Jim. 1 1
Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him.
4 8
Something fine and rare and sterling - something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honour of being owned by Jim.
9 14
There was a pier-glass between the windows of the room.
4 7
Perhaps you have seen a pier-glass in an $8 Bat. 4 7 A very thin and very agile person may, by
observing his reflection in a rapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairly accurate conception of his looks.
16 11
Della, being slender, had mastered the art. 4 3 Suddenly she whirled from the window and
stood before the glass.
5 6
Her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its colour within twenty seconds.
7 8
Rapidly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its full length.
8 6
Now, there were two possessions of the James 9 9
Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride.
One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's.
5 8
The other was Della's hair 2 3
Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out of the window some day to dry just to depreciate her Majesty's jewels and gifts.
18 17
Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy.
18 18
So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her, rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters.
9 6
It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her.
5 8
And then she did it up again nervously and quickly.
5 5
Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.
8 12
On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat.
8 4
With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, she cluttered out of the door and down the stairs to the street.
11 16
Where she stopped the sign read: 'Mme Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds.'
7 6
One Eight up Della ran, and collected herself, panting.
4 5
Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardly looked the 'Sofronie.
8 1
"Will you buy my hair?" asked Della. 4 3
"I buy hair," said Madame. 4 1
"Take yer hat off and let's have a sight at the looks of it."
6 8
Down rippled the brown cascade. 3 2
"Twenty dollars," said Madame, lifting the mass with a practised hand.
7 4
"Give it to me quick" said Della. 4 3
Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings.
4 7
Forget the hashed metaphor. 3 1
35
She was ransacking the stores for Jim's present. 4 4
She found it at last. 2 3
It surely had been made for Jim and no one else. 4 6 There was no other like it in any of the stores, and
she had turned all of them inside out.
3 17
It was a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretricious ornamentation - as all good things should do.
16 13
It was even worthy of The Watch. 2 5
As soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim's.
4 9
It was like him. 0 0
Quietness and value - the description applied to both.
4 4
Twenty-one dollars they took from her for it, and she hurried home with the 78 cents.
5 12
With that chain on his watch Jim might be properly anxious about the time in any company.
7 10
Grand as the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap that he used in place of a chain.
12 16
When Della reached home her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason.
9 5
She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love.
14 9
Which is always a tremendous task dear friends - a mammoth task.
7 4
Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny, close-lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant schoolboy.
12 9
She looked at her reflection in the mirror long, carefully, and critically.
6 6
"If Jim doesn't kill me," she said to herself,
"before he takes a second look at me, he'll say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl. But what could I do - oh! what could I do with a dollar and eighty-seven cents?"
15 29
At 7 o'clock the coffee was made and the frying- pan was on the back of the stove hot and ready to cook the chops.
11 14
Jim was never late. 3 1
Della doubled the fob chain in her hand and sat 11 12