A Poor Rule by O. Henry (1918)
The story revolves around a man who marries a woman for her wealth and then tries to kill her after the wedding. However, his plan backfires when he discovers that she has left him everything in her will. The twist is that she had been planning this all along and had set up a trap for him.
By O. Henry · First published 1918 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Social Commentary · 5,364 words
First lines
I have always maintained, and asserted time to time, that woman is no mystery; that man can foretell, construe, subdue, comprehend, and interpret her. That she is a mystery has been foisted by herself upon credulous mankind. Whether I am right or wrong we shall see. As "Harper's Drawer" used to say in bygone years: "The following good story is told of Miss -- -- -, Mr. -- -- -, Mr. -- -- -, and Mr. -- -- ."
We shall have to omit "Bishop X" and "the Rev. -- -- -," for they do not belong.
What this Textopian page supports
A Poor Rule is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1918 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: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Social Commentary, Character Study, Regional Fiction
- Length: 5,364 words
- Structure: 1 section, 92 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Poor Rule 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 Poor Rule?
- 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
- The Greater Coney by O. Henry
- The Elusive Tenderloin by O. Henry
- The Emancipation Of Billy by O. Henry
- The Unprofitable Servant by O. Henry
- Mammon And The Archer by O. Henry
- The Defeat Of The City by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of love, honesty, and societal expectations through character-driven narratives.
- Romantic Comedy — The plot centers around romantic rivalries and humorous interactions among characters vying for affection.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques social norms and the nature of relationships, particularly regarding honesty and flattery.
- Character Study — The focus on character development, particularly Ileen Hinkle's, reveals deeper insights into human behavior and motivations.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Poverty · Wealth Inequality · Morality Tale · Fable · Allegory · Irony