An Adjustment of Nature by O. Henry
The story revolves around a wealthy man who has made his fortune through questionable means and is now facing the consequences of his actions. He is forced to confront the reality of his past mistakes and the harm he has caused to others. A young woman, who was once in love with him, is now engaged to marry another man. However, she still holds a deep affection for the wealthy man and is torn between her loyalty to her fiancé and her lingering feelings for the wealthy man. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the wealthy man's past actions have had far-reaching consequences, affecting not only his own life but also the lives of those around him. The narrative explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the complexities of human relationships.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary · 2,245 words
First lines
In an art exhibition the other day I saw a painting that had been sold for $5,000. The painter was a young scrub out of the West named Kraft, who had a favourite food and a pet theory. His pabulum was an unquenchable belief in the Unerring Artistic Adjustment of Nature. His theory was fixed around corned-beef hash with poached egg. There was a story behind the picture, so I went home and let it drip out of a fountain-pen. The idea of Kraft -- but that is not the beginning of the story.
What this Textopian page supports
An Adjustment of Nature is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1911 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: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary, Romantic Comedy, Short Story
- Length: 2,245 words
- Structure: 1 section, 40 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Adjustment of Nature 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 An Adjustment of Nature?
- 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?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of art, love, and social class through nuanced character interactions and rich descriptions.
- Humor — The narrative employs wit and irony, particularly in the portrayal of characters and their absurd situations.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal norms and the impact of wealth on personal relationships, particularly through the character of Milly.
- Romantic Comedy — The story contains elements of romance and comedic misunderstandings surrounding relationships and social status.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Twist Ending · Plot Twist · Moral Lesson · Fate vs Free Will · Class Conflict · Wealth Inequality