The Cop and the Anthem

“Soapy’s hopes for the winter were not very high. He was not thinking of sailing away on a ship. He was not thinking of southern skies, or of the Bay of Naples. Three months in the prison on Blackwell’s Island was what he wanted. Three months of food every day and a bed every night, three months safe from the cold north wind and safe from cops. This seemed to Soapy the most desirable thing in the world.”

This quote shows Soapy’s character. He knows his “place” on the social ladder and doesn’t dream of a life that society renders impossible for him—i.e., the holidays of the wealthy elite. Soapy simply wants to return to the only “winter home” he knows—prison.

“Soapy’s spirit was proud. If he went to any of these places, there were certain things he had to do. In one way or another, he would have to pay for what they gave him. They would not ask him for money. But they would make him wash his whole body. They would make him answer questions; they would want to know everything about his life.”

This quote demonstrates that Personal Dignity Is Essential to Survival. To Soapy, life as an unhoused person—having to sleep in shelters, bathe on demand, and answer personal questions—means suffering the greatest of insults. He knows he’ll be judged for his past imprisonment and branded a thief, whereas in prison, everyone has a past, and he can lead a life of relative dignity among equals.

“But in prison a gentleman’s own life was still his own life.”

Soapy likes to refer to himself as a “gentleman”—even, unexpectedly, in connection to prison life. The word choice reflects Soapy’s desire to maintain a sense of dignity, independence, and even societal relevance despite his impoverishment. It also hints that the difference between the upper and lower classes is not a moral one: A “gentleman” could be as much of a “criminal” as Soapy.

“The cost would not be too high. He did not want the restaurant people to feel any real anger.”

Soapy is not greedy, nor does he wish to hurt or even anger anyone. Soapy merely desires the simplest of things in life—warmth and food—and plans to do the least damaging of offenses in order to attain them.

“But the dinner would leave him filled and happy for the journey to his winter home.”

The use of the word “journey” continues the ironic parallel between prison and the “winter homes” of wealthy New Yorkers. Soapy’s “journey” will take place in a cop car, and his “winter home” will be a prison, but the word choice makes his plan sound more “gentlemanly,” which is Soapy’s chief concern.

“‘Don’t you think that I might have done it?’ said Soapy. He was friendly and happy. What he wanted was coming toward him.”

This quote illustrates why “The Cop and the Anthem” is often labeled a “humorous” work of literature. Soapy’s incongruous behavior is comical: He has a happy grin on his face, eagerly seeking arrest. As the story demonstrates, however, it is not easy for Soapy to attain his desires.

“Into this, Soapy took his old shoes and his torn clothes, and no one stopped him. He sat down at a table and was soon eating a big dinner. When he had finished, he said that he and money were strangers.

‘Get busy and call a cop,’ said Soapy. ‘And don’t keep a gentleman waiting.’”

This quote reflects Soapy’s desire to be treated with dignity, with respect, and as a gentleman. The fact that the wait staff treat him as anything but underscores that society will always view him as an outcast, developing the theme of Social Class and the Cycle of Poverty and Crime.

“Prison seemed only a happy dream.”

This is another instance of irony: Prison would seem anything but a “happy dream.” Yet this is Soapy’s reality based on his life circumstances. The repeated association of prison with happiness underscores the tragedy of Soapy’s life.

“And then Soapy would be happy to feel the cop’s hand on his arm.”

The idea of “happiness” recurs throughout the story. The quote also employs irony, as the feeling of a cop’s hand seizing one’s arm would not seem like something to be happy about.

“He was already thinking how warm he would be.”

This quote shows Soapy’s desperation, having slept outside for so long. He yearns for physical warmth, but also the warmth of being seen, which he never is in this story: Those around Soapy consistently ignore, mistake, or misjudge him.

“Was he going to remain free forever? […] A sudden fear caught Soapy. No cop was going to arrest him.”

This is one of many instances of irony, as the reader likely does not anticipate meeting a character who dreams of being arrested or falls into despair when their mission fails. However, an arrest means a return to Blackwell Island, where Soapy would enjoy a different kind of freedom: His life would be his own.

“And the cop turned his back to Soapy, and said to a man standing near him, “It’s one of those college boys. He won’t hurt anything. We had orders to let them shout.”

Soapy’s efforts to get arrested for disorderly conduct highlight a double standard in law enforcement that the story implicitly critiques. Anyone going to college in this era would have been well-off, and the police have “orders” to leave such people alone when they are committing only minor infractions. If the police had recognized Soapy for who he is—an unhoused man and former inmate—they would not have extended him this same courtesy.

“And the anthem that came from the church held Soapy there, for he had known it well long ago. In those days his life contained such things as mothers and flowers and high hopes and friends and clean thoughts and clean clothes.”

This song appears at the climax of the story, prompting significant change in mood and plot: Soapy grows hopeful and resolves to turn over a new leaf. The imagery evokes Soapy’s memories of joy, peace, comfort, and love, motivating him to regain what he has since lost.