A Story for Men by O. Henry (1910)
The story revolves around a man who has been wrongfully accused of murder and sentenced to death. He escapes from prison with the help of a fellow inmate and sets out to clear his name. As he travels, he meets various people who are also on the run from the law, including a woman who is being pursued by her husband. The man takes it upon himself to protect her and help her evade capture. Throughout his journey, the man's past is slowly revealed through flashbacks, showing how he was wrongly accused of murder and how he has been trying to clear his name ever since. The story builds towards a dramatic confrontation between the man and those who wronged him, with the outcome hanging in the balance.
By O. Henry · First published 1910 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Realism · 1,169 words
First lines
This little story will be a disappointment to women who read it. They will all say: "I don't see anything in that. " Probably there isn't much.
What this Textopian page supports
A Story for Men is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1910 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: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Realism, Drama, Short Story
- Length: 1,169 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Story for Men 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 Story for Men?
- 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
- A Good Story Spoiled by O. Henry
- No Story by O. Henry
- Prompt by O. Henry
- The Enchanted Profile by O. Henry
- A Newspaper Story by O. Henry
- Farewell by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The story explores complex themes of motherhood, domestic life, and the inner emotional landscape of a woman, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the protagonist's subconscious through her dream, highlighting psychological elements and emotional depth.
- Realism — The portrayal of everyday life and relatable characters reflects the principles of realism, focusing on ordinary experiences.
- Drama — The emotional tension and personal struggles of the protagonist create a dramatic narrative arc.
Tags
Short story · American literature · Realism · Humor · Satire · Social commentary · Marriage · Relationships · Love · Deception · Moral lesson · Fiction