An Odd Character by O. Henry (1919)
The story revolves around a man who has been wrongfully accused of murder and is awaiting execution. He is visited by a priest who tries to prepare him for death, but the man's thoughts are consumed by his desire for revenge against those he believes have wronged him.
By O. Henry · First published 1919 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Short Story, Social Commentary · 1,553 words
First lines
A Post Reporter stood on the San Jacinto Street bridge last night. Half of a May moon swam in a sea of buttermilky clouds high in the east. Below, the bayou gleamed dully in the semidarkness, merging into inky blackness farther down. A steam tug glided noiselessly down the sluggish waters, leaving a shattered trail of molten silver. Foot passengers across the bridge were scarce. A few belated Fifth-Warders straggled past, clattering along the uneven planks of the footway. The reporter took off his hat and allowed a cool breath of a great city to fan his brow. A mellow voice, with, however, too much dramatic inflection, murmured at his elbow, and quoted incorrectly from Byron:
What this Textopian page supports
An Odd Character 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: Literary Fiction, Short Story, Social Commentary, Magical Realism, Character Study
- Length: 1,553 words
- Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Odd Character 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 Odd Character?
- 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
- By Easy Stages by O. Henry
- An Original Idea by O. Henry
- Explaining It by O. Henry
- How It Started by O. Henry
- The Girl And The Habit by O. Henry
- Doughertys Eye Opener by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, societal roles, and the human condition through rich character development and nuanced dialogue.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and self-contained, typical of the short story format, focusing on a brief encounter between two characters.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques social norms and perceptions of wealth and poverty, highlighting the disparity between appearances and reality.
- Magical Realism — Elements of the fantastical, such as the magical ring and the tramp's claims, blend with the ordinary setting, creating a surreal atmosphere.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Plot Twist · Moral Lesson · Character Study · Psychological Insight · Comedy of Manners · Class Satire