At Arms with Morpheus by O. Henry
The story revolves around a young man who has been sentenced to death for murder. He is visited by a mysterious figure known as Morpheus, who claims to have the power to induce sleep and thus escape execution. The young man is skeptical but desperate, so he agrees to meet with Morpheus in his cell. Morpheus arrives and begins to speak in a soothing voice, telling the young man that he will soon be asleep and unable to be awakened. However, as Morpheus continues to talk, it becomes clear that he is not what he seems. He is actually a con artist who has been using his supposed powers to swindle people out of their money. The young man realizes too late that he has been duped and that Morpheus has no intention of helping him escape. In the end, the young man is executed as planned, but not before he exacts a measure of revenge on Morpheus by revealing his true nature to the prison authorities.
By O. Henry · First published 1900 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Humor, Drama · 2,022 words
First lines
I never could quite understand how Tom Hopkins came to make that blunder, for he had been through a whole term at a medical college -- before he inherited his aunt's fortune -- and had been considered strong in therapeutics.
We had been making a call together that evening, and afterward Tom ran up to my rooms for a pipe and a chat before going on to his own luxurious apartments. I had stepped into the other room for a moment when I heard Tom sing out:
What this Textopian page supports
At Arms with Morpheus is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1900 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: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Humor, Drama, Social Commentary, Short Story
- Length: 2,022 words
- Structure: 1 section, 39 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for At Arms with Morpheus by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering At Arms with Morpheus?
- 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 morality, friendship, and social class, typical of literary fiction.
- Humor — The narrative employs wit and irony, particularly in the interactions between characters, showcasing a humorous perspective on serious situations.
- Drama — The story contains dramatic elements, focusing on character development and emotional conflict, particularly in the protagonist's efforts to rouse his friend.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques social class distinctions and the impact of wealth on personal relationships, reflecting societal issues.
Tags
Short Story · Classic Literature · American Fiction · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Mystery · Adventure · Fantasy · Dreams · Reality · Illusion