"Appointment in Samarra" is a short story by John O'Hara that was first published in 1934. The story is narrated by Death and follows the tragic tale of a wealthy young man named Julian English who, in a moment of desperation, flees from his hometown of Gibbsville, Pennsylvania to the exotic city of Samarra in Iraq.
The story begins with Julian, who is described as being "good-looking, tall, dark, and well-dressed," attending a party at the home of his friend Harry Reilly. At the party, Julian is approached by a woman named Caroline, who is the girlfriend of a local gangster named Tom Potter. Caroline flirts with Julian, which leads to a confrontation with Tom and ultimately leads to Julian's downfall.
After the confrontation with Tom, Julian becomes consumed by feelings of shame and despair. He decides to flee Gibbsville and seek refuge in Samarra, a city known for its "wide, white streets" and "white houses." Julian hopes that in Samarra, he will be able to escape his past and start anew.
However, things do not go as planned for Julian. Despite his best efforts to hide from his problems, he is unable to escape the consequences of his actions. He becomes embroiled in a series of disastrous events, including a failed business venture, a series of failed romantic relationships, and a series of physical altercations.
Ultimately, Julian's life spirals out of control and he is forced to confront the reality of his situation. He realizes that he cannot run from his problems and that he must face them head on in order to find true happiness and fulfillment.
One of the main themes of "Appointment in Samarra" is the idea of fate and how it can shape a person's life. The story's narrator, Death, serves as a symbol of this theme, as it is implied that Julian's fate was sealed from the moment he fled Gibbsville. Despite Julian's best efforts to escape his problems, he is ultimately unable to evade the consequences of his actions.
Another theme in the story is the idea of self-destruction. Julian's actions at the party, as well as his subsequent flight to Samarra, are all examples of self-destructive behavior. He is unable to cope with his feelings of shame and instead of facing his problems head on, he tries to escape them. This ultimately leads to his downfall, as he is unable to find peace or happiness in Samarra.
Overall, "Appointment in Samarra" is a tragic tale that serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-destruction and the importance of facing one's problems head on. It is a poignant reminder that no matter how much we try to run from our problems, they will always catch up to us in the end.
