After Supper by O. Henry (1917)
The story revolves around a poor family who lives in a small apartment. After supper, the father goes out to pawn his watch to buy food for the next day. However, he gets drunk and forgets about his family's needs. Meanwhile, the mother tries to make ends meet by selling her jewelry. The children are left to fend for themselves, struggling to survive on meager rations.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Short Story, Romance, Literary Fiction · 109 words
First lines
Mr. Sharp: "My darling, it seems to me that every year that passes over your head but brings out some new charm, some hidden beauty, some added grace. There is a look in your eyes tonight that is as charming and girllike as when I first met you. What a blessing it is when two hearts can grow but fonder as time flies. You are scarcely less beautiful now than when -- "
Mrs. Sharp: "I had forgotten it was lodge night, Robert. Don't be out much after twelve, if you can help it. "
What this Textopian page supports
After Supper is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Romance, Literary Fiction, Humor, Drama
- Length: 109 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for After Supper 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 After Supper?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Story first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Celestial Sounds by O. Henry
- Knew What Was Needed by O. Henry
- Grounds For Uneasiness by O. Henry
- No Help For It by O. Henry
- Unknown Title by O. Henry
- The Ransom Of Mack by O. Henry
Genres
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on character interactions and a specific moment in time.
- Romance — The dialogue reflects themes of love and affection between the characters.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style emphasizes character development and emotional depth.
- Humor — The subtle wit in the dialogue adds a light-hearted tone to the narrative.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Marriage · Relationships · Family Dynamics · Greed · Materialism · Poverty