An Inspiration by O. Henry (1917)
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security. She becomes pregnant and the man's family discovers her true intentions. They devise a plan to get rid of her by sending her on a journey, hoping she will not return. However, the woman is determined to secure her future and sets out to make the best of the situation.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Short Story, Humor, Social Commentary · 316 words
First lines
He was seated on an empty box on Main Street late yesterday evening during the cold drizzling rain. He was poorly clad and his thick coat was buttoned up high under his chin. He had a woeful, harassed appearance, and there was something about him that indicated that he was different from the average tramp who beats his way by lies and fraud.
The Post man felt a touch of sympathy and went up to him and said:
What this Textopian page supports
An Inspiration 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, Humor, Social Commentary, Realism, Drama
- Length: 316 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Inspiration 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 Inspiration?
- 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
- Hush Money by O. Henry
- Squaring The Circle by O. Henry
- Did You See The Circus by O. Henry
- A Valedictory by O. Henry
- The Unprofitable Servant by O. Henry
- An Opportunity Declined by O. Henry
Genres
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative that encapsulates a complete story within a limited word count.
- Humor — The dialogue and situation present a satirical take on capitalism and human nature, evoking humor through irony.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques societal norms and the behavior of individuals within economic systems.
- Realism — The portrayal of characters and settings reflects everyday life and social issues, emphasizing authenticity.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Twist Ending · Plot Twist · Literary Fiction · Realism · Symbolism · Character Study