Historical Criticism of "Theft" by Katherine Anne Porter

The story of “Theft” written by Katherine Anne Porter takes place in New York City during the 1920’s. This unnamed female protagonist discovers that her purse, made of gold cloth, is missing. As the mid 20 year old woman ponders, she realizes she had her purse when she came home from a party the night before. As she recollects her thoughts, a glimpse of her life is told within a small story. She has 3 separate current “mates”, running into each of them back to back on her way home. These three men all take something mentally from her: happiness, love, and hope. A historical point of view influences how you read the text. Trends and societal views influence what was written and how it can be read.

A historical critic may ask “what historical knowledge adds depth to the reading of the work? ”, “what historical research is necessary to understand this text? ”, and “what insights does the literary work give us into history? ”.

When reflecting on the economic and cultural status of the protagonist, a historical knowledge is beneficial. The 1920’s are also known as the roaring 20’s. Within this era, the pattern of employment for women was beginning to change. The great majority of women worked as a housewife. However a great increase of 25% women moved to working in the workplace as a result of the hard work they had undertaken throughout World War I, due to the absence of men. Within the text, the reader learns that the protagonist has taken upon the role of writing reviews for acts, and as well as writing many small acts she sells for an income. During the time of the 1920’s, act writing and play business was solely controlled by men. As stated in the text, the protagonist sells an act to the character of Bill, Bill refuses to pay the protagonist, “ ‘It’s no time to speak of it,’ she said, ‘but I’ve been hoping you would have by now that fifty dollars you promised for my scene in the third act. Even if it doesn’t play. You were to pay me for the work anyhow out of your advance. ’ ” (Porter 185). “Bill said, ‘Do me a favour, will you? Have another drink and forget about it. I can’t, you know the fix I’m in. ’ ” (Porter 186), previously Bill had given the protagonist a small tour of the new expensive items he had purchased for the wealth of his home. In this situation Bill has money, whether he admits it or not. There was no sympathy for the unpaid protagonist, this was the generation’s way of life. Most men did not agree with the presence of women in the workplace.

By having done research prior to reading this short story, the reader can fully understand the protagonist. As being a minority included in the workplace environment, to a certain degree, the protagonist must feel alienated. Within the story, the reader finds that the protagonist lacks the feeling of being loved, feeling happy, and having hope. Considering all circumstances the protagonist is pressured by, she must be a strong independent woman. Within the text, the protagonist stops by Bill’s home to collect an income, “ ‘You’re perfectly sopping,’ said Bill” (Porter 185). In this moment, Bill notices the state of the protagonist; soaking wet. Bill does not offer the women a dry set of clothes, or even a towel for drying. During this era, females were not as important to even have their name printed on a passport. Many females were seen by majority of men to do nothing but housework, therefore Bill must not have much respect for the protagonist. Bill was not the only male encounter the protagonist faced, for there was also Camilo, Roger and Eddie. Although Eddie was not introduced formally because he was apart of the protagonist’s past. Camilo was introduced at the beginning of the story, he seemed to be in love with the protagonist. Camilo is all about a good time in the presence of the protagonist.

Camilo likes to pay her fare for the Elevated, “She was going to pay her own fare, too, even if Camilo did have a habit of seeing her up the steps and dropping a nickel into the machine before he gave the turnstile a little push and sent her through it with a bow. ” (Porter 183). Considering how Camilo acts one way in front of the protagonist, and one way out of sight makes the reader question the real personality of Camilo. As a reader Camilo seems like a gentlemen. As a historical critic, Camilo seems to be an older style man who believes the protagonist does not make a large enough income to afford the Elevated. Since Camilo was all about a good time, he may not even know the protagonist well enough to know she has an income. Therefore he pays her fare whenever he has the option. Another mate, by the name of Roger is introduced in a taxi. Roger is found to be the opposite of Camilo. “Roger said, ‘I’ve just enough if you’ll add ten cents,’ so she opened her purse and gave him a dime,’ ” (Porter 184), Roger is very comfortable accepting money from a female. From a historical point of view, this seems to be a era where some men are accepting women in the workplace and where some do not. Therefore this indicates the protagonist was one of few females to be independent.

This text gives several insights into the historical time period. Within the 1920’s, the use top hats were very important to a man. These hats were usually made out of felt and once they got wet, they were entirely ruined. Within the present era, if a man were to wear a hat, it would most likely be a similar style to a baseball cap. Depending on the man in the present era, they may have over a dozen of baseball caps. But, during the historical era of “Theft”, men did not have many top hats. Therefore, these men would try to keep their hat from spoiling. “She stood watching him, for he was a very graceful young man, thinking that tomorrow morning he would gaze soberly at his spoiled hat and soggy shoes and possibly associate her with his misery. As she watched, he stopped at the far corner and took off his hat and hid it under his overcoat. ” (Porter 183), Camilo truly cared about his hat. Analysing the use of language the author uses speaks of the era as well. The protagonist speaks of having a janitress, present day language may speak of a maid or cleaning lady. This janitress seems to be an older women, she speaks of her young niece needing to find a love.

The janitress speaks to the protagonist as if she is fully grown, when she seems to be in her mid 20s or early 30s, “ ‘You’re a grown woman, you’ve had your chance, you ought to know how it is!’ ” (Porter 188). Within the historical era they’re living in, the average age of marriage was 18 years old. If you were not married shortly after that you were considered a disappointment, and in some circumstances called an old maid. This clearly shows the difference from the present era where the average age of marriage is around 30 years old.

By having historical knowledge while reading “Theft” helps you thoroughly understand the protagonist. Within the time era, assuming within the 1920s, most women were yet to be employed. Considering all circumstances and judgmental men, the protagonist is pressured by, she must be a strong independent woman. By having done research prior to reading “Theft”, the reader would also understand that this was a time period where Nellie McClung, in 1911, had started actively fighting for women’s right to vote. Women were just publicly fighting for equality. Historical insights within the story give many suggestions to the correct era “Theft” took place in, including the style of clothing, the use of language, and marriage ages. The short story of “Theft” gives the reader plenty of leeway for opinions and imagination, especially in a historical manner.