From each According to his Ability
The story revolves around a wealthy man who dies and leaves behind a large sum of money to be divided among his friends according to their abilities. However, the twist lies in the fact that he has also left behind a note stating that those with exceptional abilities will receive more than others. A group of friends gather to divide the inheritance, but they soon realize that one of them is missing - a man who was known for his exceptional ability as a musician. They assume that this man must have been the most talented among them and therefore deserves the largest share. However, when the missing man returns, it becomes clear that he has lost his musical talent due to an accident. The friends are shocked and realize that they had misjudged him all along. In the end, the inheritance is divided according to their actual abilities, not their perceived ones. The story highlights the theme of judging people based on appearances or assumptions rather than reality.
By O. Henry · First published 1904 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary · 2,938 words
First lines
Vuyning left his club, cursing it softly, without any particular anger. From ten in the morning until eleven it had bored him immeasurably. Kirk with his fish story, Brooks with his Puerto Rico cigars, old Morrison with his anecdote about the widow, Hepburn with his invariable luck at billiards -- all these afflictions had been repeated without change of bill or scenery. Besides these morning evils Miss Allison had refused him again on the night before. But that was a chronic trouble. Five times she had laughed at his offer to make her Mrs. Vuyning. He intended to ask her again the next Wednesday evening.
What this Textopian page supports
From each According to his Ability is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1904 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: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary, Adventure, Romance
- Length: 2,938 words
- Structure: 1 section, 63 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for From each According to his Ability by O. Henry
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering From each According to his Ability?
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- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Greater Coney by O. Henry
- The Gold That Glittered by O. Henry
- The Struggle Of The Outliers by O. Henry
- The Sphinx Apple by O. Henry
- Makes The Whole World Kin by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex characters and social themes, focusing on personal relationships and societal norms.
- Humor — The dialogue and situations contain wit and irony, providing comedic elements throughout the narrative.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques social class distinctions and the superficiality of appearances in society.
- Adventure — The protagonist's interactions with a criminal element introduce elements of risk and excitement.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Fiction · Short Story · Humor · Irony · Class Struggle · Economic Inequality · Philosophical Themes · Literary Satire · American Literature · Realism