Felix O'Day

"Felix O'Day" by Francis Hopkinson Smith is a story set in New York City, where a man named Felix O'Day, a gentleman down on his luck, struggles to survive in the bustling and unforgiving environment of the late 19th century. The tale begins on a rainy night on Broadway, painting a picture of a city full of bright lights and busy crowds that also holds a darker side, in which Felix finds himself feeling alone despite his elegant appearance. The story then shows Felix as he deals with financial problems, like a landlady wanting rent, and his visit to a pawn shop where he attempts to use an elegant dressing case as collateral. The narrative suggests that Felix has had a difficult past, setting up his interactions with other people and suggesting a journey of personal growth and the discovery of human compassion as he tries to rebuild his life in a new place.