Fickle Fortune or how Gladys Hustled
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for his wealth and then plots to kill him after he becomes ill. However, her plan is thwarted when she discovers that her husband has left her a large sum of money in his will, which she can only access if she remains married to him until his death.
By O. Henry · First published 1908 · Genre: Comedy, Romance, Satire · 1,149 words
First lines
"Press me no more Mr. Snooper," said Gladys Vavasour-Smith. "I can never be yours."
"You have led me to believe different, Gladys," said Bertram D. Snooper.
What this Textopian page supports
Fickle Fortune or how Gladys Hustled is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Romance, Satire, Drama, Fiction
- Length: 1,149 words
- Structure: 1 section, 45 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Fickle Fortune or how Gladys Hustled 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 Fickle Fortune or how Gladys Hustled?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Comedy — The narrative employs humor and irony, particularly in the interactions between characters and the absurdity of the situations they find themselves in.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around romantic entanglements and the pursuit of love, particularly between Gladys and Bertram.
- Satire — The story critiques social class and the absurdities of wealth and status, highlighting the ridiculousness of societal expectations.
- Drama — The characters experience emotional conflicts and personal dilemmas, particularly regarding love and ambition.
Tags
Short Story · Comedy · Satire · Social Commentary · Fiction · Humor · Irony · Plot Twist · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Realism