Coming to Him by O. Henry (1917)
The story revolves around a young woman who returns to her hometown after being away for several years. She reunites with an old flame and they rekindle their romance. However, the woman's past experiences have left her emotionally scarred, making it difficult for her to fully commit to the relationship.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Satire, Humor, Social Commentary · 520 words
First lines
The man who keeps up with the latest scientific discoveries is abroad in the land. He knows all about bacilli, microbes, and all the various newly found foes to mankind. He reads the papers and heeds all the warnings that lead to longevity and safety to mind and limb. He stopped a friend on Main Street yesterday who was hurrying to the post-office and said excitedly:
"Wait a minute, Brown. Do you ever bite your finger nails?"
What this Textopian page supports
Coming to Him 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: Satire, Humor, Social Commentary, Short Story, Tragedy
- Length: 520 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Coming to Him 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 Coming to Him?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Her Failing by O. Henry
- Hearts And Crosses by O. Henry
- The Marry Month Of May by O. Henry
- A Guarded Secret by O. Henry
- Nothing To Say by O. Henry
- Jimmy Hayes And Muriel by O. Henry
Genres
- Satire — The work critiques societal obsession with health and scientific knowledge through exaggerated dialogue and situations.
- Humor — The absurdity of the protagonist's warnings and the reactions of others create a comedic effect.
- Social Commentary — It reflects on human behavior and the disconnect between knowledge and practical living.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and focused, typical of the short story format.
Tags
Romance · Short Story · Tragic Love · Fate · Destiny · Love Triangle · Marriage · Infidelity · Deception · Betrayal · Heartbreak · Loss