A Service of Love by O. Henry (1911)
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security. She becomes pregnant and the man dies suddenly, leaving her with no support. A wealthy stranger appears and offers to marry her, but only if she agrees to give up her unborn child. The woman is faced with a difficult decision: accept the offer and secure her future or keep her child and risk poverty.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Drama · 2,621 words
First lines
When one loves one's Art no service seems too hard.
That is our premise. This story shall draw a conclusion from it, and show at the same time that the premise is incorrect. That will be a new thing in logic, and a feat in story-telling somewhat older than the great wall of China.
What this Textopian page supports
A Service of Love is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1911 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: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Drama, Slice of Life, Comedy
- Length: 2,621 words
- Structure: 1 section, 52 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Service of Love 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 Service of Love?
- 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 Third Ingredient by O. Henry
- The Country Of Elusion by O. Henry
- The Girl And The Habit by O. Henry
- Ships by O. Henry
- The Day Resurgent by O. Henry
- Mammon And The Archer by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The story explores complex themes of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of art, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Romance — The central relationship between Joe and Delia highlights romantic love and the challenges they face together.
- Drama — The narrative presents emotional conflicts and character development, typical of dramatic storytelling.
- Slice of Life — The story captures everyday experiences and the struggles of the couple in their artistic endeavors.
Tags
Romance · Short Story · Literary Fiction · American Literature · Classic Novel · Love Story · Tragic Love · Fate vs Free Will · Moral Lesson · Social Commentary · Poverty and Wealth · Class Conflict