A Tragedy by O. Henry (1919)
The story revolves around a wealthy man who has been wronged by society and seeks revenge through a series of tragic events that ultimately lead to his downfall. The narrative explores themes of class struggle, morality, and the consequences of one's actions.
By O. Henry · First published 1919 · Genre: Tragedy, Satire, Fiction · 645 words
First lines
"By the beard of the Prophet. Oh, Scheherezade, right well hast thou done," said the Caliph, leaning back and biting off the end of a three-for.
For one thousand nights Scheherezade No. 2, daughter of the Grand Vizier, had sat at the feet of the mighty Caliph of the Indies relating tales that held the court entranced and breathless.
What this Textopian page supports
A Tragedy is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1919 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: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Tragedy, Satire, Fiction, Fantasy, Drama
- Length: 645 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Tragedy by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Tragedy?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Tragedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Revenge by O. Henry
- A Narrow Escape by O. Henry
- Bulgers Friend by O. Henry
- The Telegram by O. Henry
- The Skylight Room by O. Henry
- Two Renegades by O. Henry
Genres
- Tragedy — The narrative culminates in a fatal consequence for the protagonist, embodying the essence of tragic storytelling.
- Satire — The work employs humor and irony to critique societal norms and expectations, particularly in the context of storytelling.
- Fiction — The story is a work of fiction, presenting a narrative that is imaginative and not based on real events.
- Fantasy — Elements of fantasy are present through the setting and characters, invoking a sense of the extraordinary.
Tags
Tragic · Short Story · American Literature · Irony · Twist Ending · Moral Lesson · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Poverty · Deception · Revenge · Betrayal