A Sporting Interest by O. Henry
The story revolves around a young man who becomes infatuated with a beautiful woman and decides to win her hand by becoming an expert marksman. He practices tirelessly and eventually wins a shooting competition, but his newfound fame only serves to drive the woman further away.
By O. Henry · First published 1914 · Genre: Tragedy, Drama, Dark Humor · 444 words
First lines
It is a busy scene in the rear of one of Houston's greatest manufacturing establishments. A number of workmen are busy raising some heavy object by means of blocks and tackles. Somehow, a rope is worn in two by friction, and a derrick falls. There is a hurried scrambling out of the way, a loud jarring crash, a cloud of dust, and a man stretched out dead beneath the heavy timbers.
The others gather round and with herculean efforts drag the beams from across his mangled form. There is a hoarse murmur of pity from rough but kindly breasts, and the question runs around the group, "Who is to tell her?"
What this Textopian page supports
A Sporting Interest is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1914 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: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Tragedy, Drama, Dark Humor, Realism, Short Story
- Length: 444 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Sporting Interest 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 Sporting Interest?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Tragedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Tragedy — The story revolves around a sudden death and the emotional impact it has on the characters, highlighting themes of loss and sorrow.
- Drama — The narrative focuses on the interactions and emotional struggles of the characters in a tense situation, emphasizing human relationships.
- Dark Humor — The juxtaposition of a tragic event with the light-hearted response of the widow introduces elements of irony and humor.
- Realism — The depiction of everyday life and the working-class environment reflects realistic social conditions and human experiences.
Tags
Short Story · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Satire · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Realism · Irony · Wit · Sarcasm · Critique of Society