A Night Errant by O. Henry (1917)
The story revolves around a young woman who is forced to marry an older man due to financial constraints. She is unhappy with the arrangement and longs for freedom and independence. The narrative explores themes of love, duty, and the societal expectations placed on women during that time period.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Realism · 3,057 words
First lines
One of the greatest of books is the daily life around us. All that the human mind can conceive; all that the human heart can feel, and the lips tell are encompassed in the little world about us. He that beholds with understanding eyes can see beneath the thin veil of the commonplace, the romance, the tragedy and the broad comedy that is being played upon the world's stage by the actors great and little who tread the boards of the Theater of the Universe.
What this Textopian page supports
A Night Errant 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, Social Commentary, Realism, Drama, Short Story
- Length: 3,057 words
- Structure: 1 section, 54 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Night Errant 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 Night Errant?
- 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
- His Only Opportunity by O. Henry
- The Trimmed Lamp by O. Henry
- The Guardian Of The Accolade by O. Henry
- The Cop And The Anthem by O. Henry
- The Unprofitable Servant by O. Henry
- The Elusive Tenderloin by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of humanity, social class, and the intertwining of tragedy and comedy in everyday life.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal norms and highlights the struggles of the lower class, particularly through the character of Crip and the Post Man's observations.
- Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of life, focusing on ordinary characters and their experiences in a specific social context.
- Drama — The emotional depth and character interactions create a dramatic tension that reflects the struggles and triumphs of the human condition.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Realism · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Poverty · Wealth · Inequality · Morality Tale · Fate vs. Free Will