Cherchez La Femme by O. Henry (1911)
The story revolves around a man who seeks revenge against his former lover for abandoning him. He discovers that she has married a wealthy and influential man, and he plots to expose her past to ruin her reputation and marriage. However, the tables are turned when it is revealed that the woman's husband is aware of her past and has actually been using it to his advantage in their social circle.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Mystery, Literary Fiction, Drama · 3,795 words
First lines
Robbins, reporter for the Picayune, and Dumars, of L'Abeille -- the old French newspaper that has buzzed for nearly a century -- were good friends, well proven by years of ups and downs together. They were seated where they had a habit of meeting -- in the little, Creole-haunted café of Madame Tibault, in Dumaine Street. If you know the place, you will experience a thrill of pleasure in recalling it to mind. It is small and dark, with six little polished tables, at which you may sit and drink the best coffee in New Orleans, and concoctions of absinthe equal to Sazerac's best. Madame Tibault, fat and indulgent, presides at the desk, and takes your money. Nicolette and Mémé, madame's nieces, in charming bib aprons, bring the desirable beverages.
What this Textopian page supports
Cherchez La Femme 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: Mystery, Literary Fiction, Drama, Humor, Historical Fiction
- Length: 3,795 words
- Structure: 1 section, 76 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Cherchez La Femme 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 Cherchez La Femme?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Mystery — The plot revolves around the investigation of a missing sum of money, creating suspense and intrigue.
- Literary Fiction — The story explores complex themes of morality, perception, and human nature through character interactions and societal commentary.
- Drama — The narrative contains emotional depth and character-driven conflicts, particularly regarding the reputation and legacy of the deceased.
- Humor — The dialogue and situations often contain wit and irony, providing a light-hearted contrast to the serious themes.
Tags
Short Story · Comedy · Satire · Social Commentary · Marriage · Relationships · Deception · Humor · Irony · Plot Twist · Romance · Wit