A Philistine in Bohemia by O. Henry
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after years abroad and becomes infatuated with a beautiful woman. He tries to win her over by pretending to be a wealthy aristocrat from Bohemia, but his ruse is eventually exposed when he is forced to reveal his true identity.
By O. Henry · First published 1908 · Genre: Romantic Comedy, Social Commentary, Slice of Life · 2,227 words
First lines
George Washington, with his right arm upraised, sits his iron horse at the lower corner of Union Square, forever signaling the Broadway cars to stop as they round the curve into Fourteenth Street. But the cars buzz on, heedless, as they do at the beck of a private citizen, and the great General must feel, unless his nerves are iron, that rapid transit gloria mundi.
What this Textopian page supports
A Philistine in Bohemia is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romantic Comedy, Social Commentary, Slice of Life, Literary Fiction, Humor
- Length: 2,227 words
- Structure: 1 section, 40 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Philistine in Bohemia by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Philistine in Bohemia?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romantic Comedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- What It Was by O. Henry
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- The Brief Debut Of Tildy by O. Henry
Genres
- Romantic Comedy — The plot centers around a romantic relationship with comedic elements, highlighting misunderstandings and cultural contrasts.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques social class distinctions and the immigrant experience in a vibrant urban setting.
- Slice of Life — The story captures everyday experiences and interactions within a specific community, focusing on ordinary characters.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style employs rich descriptions and character development, emphasizing themes of identity and belonging.
Tags
Short Story · Literary Fiction · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · American Literature · Early 20th Century · New York City Setting · Bohemian Culture · Philistinism · Class Conflict · Identity Crisis