According to their Lights
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security. She discovers that he has been embezzling funds from his company and plans to use the money she brings into the marriage to cover his tracks. The narrative explores themes of love, greed, and deception.
By O. Henry · First published 1918 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama · 2,741 words
First lines
Somewhere in the depths of the big city, where the unquiet dregs are forever being shaken together, young Murray and the Captain had met and become friends. Both were at the lowest ebb possible to their fortunes; both had fallen from at least an intermediate Heaven of respectability and importance, and both were typical products of the monstrous and peculiar social curriculum of their overweening and bumptious civic alma mater.
What this Textopian page supports
According to their Lights 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, Social Commentary, Drama, Humor, Short Story
- Length: 2,741 words
- Structure: 1 section, 61 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for According to their Lights 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 According to their Lights?
- 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
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- The Guardian Of The Accolade by O. Henry
- Hearts And Hands by O. Henry
- Somebody Lied by O. Henry
- Edward Mills And George Benton A Tale by Mark Twain
- Telemachus Friend by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of morality, social status, and personal integrity through character-driven narratives.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal structures and the struggles of individuals within the urban environment, highlighting issues of poverty and class.
- Drama — The narrative is rich in dialogue and character interactions, focusing on personal conflicts and emotional struggles.
- Humor — The writing employs wit and irony, particularly in the characters' banter and their absurd situations.
Tags
Short Story Collection · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Realism · Irony · Twist Ending · Morality Tale · Folklore · Regionalism · Nostalgia