Dicky by O. Henry (1910)
The story revolves around a young man who returns home after being away for several years and finds that his family has fallen on hard times due to the loss of their livelihood. He decides to take matters into his own hands by stealing a valuable item from a wealthy neighbor, intending to sell it and use the money to support his family. However, things do not go as planned, and he is caught in the act. The wealthy neighbor, instead of turning him in, offers him a deal: if he can steal a valuable item from another wealthy person, he will be rewarded with a large sum of money. The young man accepts the challenge and sets out to steal the item, but things become complicated when he realizes that the item is actually a family heirloom. He must now decide whether to go through with the theft or find an alternative solution to support his family.
By O. Henry · First published 1910 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Comedy · 4,713 words
First lines
There is little consecutiveness along the Spanish Main. Things happen there intermittently. Even Time seems to hang his scythe daily on the branch of an orange tree while he takes a siesta and a cigarette.
After the ineffectual revolt against the administration of President Losada, the country settled again into quiet toleration of the abuses with which he had been charged. In Coralio old political enemies went arm-in-arm, lightly eschewing for the time all differences of opinion.
What this Textopian page supports
Dicky is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1910 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: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Comedy, Adventure, Social Commentary
- Length: 4,713 words
- Structure: 1 section, 80 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Dicky 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 Dicky?
- 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
- A Professional Secret by O. Henry
- Between Rounds by O. Henry
- How She Got In The Swim by O. Henry
- A Disagreement by O. Henry
- The Stolen White Elephant by Mark Twain
- A Philistine In Bohemia by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex characters and themes, focusing on personal relationships and societal dynamics.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around the romantic relationship between Dicky and Pasa, highlighting love and courtship.
- Comedy — The narrative contains humorous elements and a light-hearted tone, particularly in Dicky's antics and interactions.
- Adventure — Dicky's arrival and experiences in Coralio reflect a sense of adventure and exploration in a foreign land.
Tags
Short Story · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Plot Twist · Comedy of Manners · Class Satire · American Literature · Early 20th Century · Realism · Wit