Referred to as “the young man” or “the guest” throughout the story, this unnamed character is the protagonist of the text. In the story, the reader follows the journey of the young man as he searches for Eloise, his lost love. Though the story takes place in the short time span of one evening, the young man experiences a wide range of emotions, making him a round and dynamic character.

Very little information is provided about the young man’s appearance, other than his baggage being worn and his hat dusty, confirming that he had been traveling for a long time. O. Henry chooses to keep the young man unnamed to infer he is generic and, therefore, relatable. He represents the many transient inhabitants of New York City, and his experiences illustrate The Cost of Urbanization. Though the text utilizes an omniscient third person narrator, events are primarily viewed from the perspective of the young man, revealing his thoughts and emotions as well as providing exposition to the story.

The theme of Hope Versus Hopelessness is underlined in the protagonist’s memories of his five-month search for Eloise.