Bulger's Friend by O. Henry (1919)
The story revolves around a man who befriends a notorious outlaw and becomes embroiled in his life of crime. The protagonist's motivations are complex, driven by a mix of admiration for the outlaw's cunning and a desire to escape his mundane life. As their friendship deepens, the protagonist finds himself increasingly entangled in the outlaw's schemes, leading to a series of events that ultimately test his loyalty and morality.
By O. Henry · First published 1919 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Humor · 3,141 words
First lines
It was rare sport for a certain element in the town when old Bulger joined the Salvation Army. Bulger was the town's odd "character," a shiftless, eccentric old man, and a natural foe to social conventions. He lived on the bank of a brook that bisected the town, in a wonderful hut of his own contriving, made of scrap lumber, clapboards, pieces of tin, canvas and corrugated iron.
What this Textopian page supports
Bulger's Friend 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, Social Commentary, Humor, Drama, Christmas Fiction
- Length: 3,141 words
- Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Bulger's Friend 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 Bulger's Friend?
- 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
- Somebody Lied by O. Henry
- The Shocks Of Doom by O. Henry
- Two Renegades by O. Henry
- His Only Opportunity by O. Henry
- The Cop And The Anthem by O. Henry
- The Social Triangle by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of friendship, sacrifice, and redemption through character-driven narratives.
- Social Commentary — It critiques social conventions and highlights the struggles of the marginalized, particularly through the lens of the Salvation Army's charitable efforts.
- Humor — The narrative employs humor in the portrayal of Bulger's eccentricities and the absurdity of social interactions.
- Drama — The emotional weight of Bulger's internal conflict and the community's plight creates a dramatic tension throughout the story.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Crime Fiction · Friendship · Redemption · Guilt · Moral Lesson · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Poverty · Deception · Loyalty