A Guarded Secret by O. Henry (1917)
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security. She discovers that he has been embezzling funds from his employer and plans to use her inheritance to cover his tracks. The woman must decide whether to expose him or keep the secret, risking her own reputation and future.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Satire, Social Commentary · 447 words
First lines
It is time to call a halt upon the persistent spreaders of the alleged joke that a woman can not keep a secret. No baser ingratitude has been shown by man toward the fair sex than the promulgation of this false report. Whenever a would-be humorous man makes use of this antiquated chestnut which his fellow men feel in duty bound to applaud, the face of the woman takes on a strange, inscrutable, pitying smile that few men ever read.
What this Textopian page supports
A Guarded Secret is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: O. Henry
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Satire, Social Commentary, Short Story, Humor
- Length: 447 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Guarded Secret by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Guarded Secret?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Somebody Lied by O. Henry
- A Strange Case by O. Henry
- A Fatal Error by O. Henry
- The Shocks Of Doom by O. Henry
- His Doubt by O. Henry
- The Caliph And The Cad by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of gender dynamics and societal expectations, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Satire — It employs humor and irony to critique societal norms regarding gender and secrets.
- Social Commentary — The narrative reflects on the roles and perceptions of women in society, providing insight into social issues.
- Short Story — The piece is concise and structured as a short narrative, typical of the short story format.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Mystery · Thriller · Plot Twist · Surprise Ending · Romance · Love Triangle · Deception · Secrets · Betrayal · Revenge