Futility by O. Henry (1906)
A man, deeply in love, experiences the bittersweet nature of longing and desire. He is captivated by the idea of a perfect union with his beloved, yet he grapples with the reality of unattainable dreams. The narrative explores the tension between hope and despair, illustrating how close one can feel to achieving happiness only to have it slip away. The protagonist reflects on the intensity of his emotions, describing the physical sensations that accompany his yearning. He feels a profound connection, as if every part of him is ready to embrace this love, yet he is ultimately left with a sense of futility. The story delves into the complexities of human emotions, emphasizing the pain of unfulfilled desires and the fleeting nature of happiness. As the man confronts the reality of his situation, he realizes that despite his fervent wishes, he cannot grasp the ideal he seeks. The narrative captures the essence of longing, portraying it as both a beautiful and tormenting experience. The juxtaposition of hope and despair serves to highlight the fragility of dreams and the inevitability of loss. In the end, the protagonist is left with a poignant understanding of the nature of love and desire. The story concludes with a sense of resignation, acknowledging that some dreams are destined to remain just that—dreams. The exploration of these themes resonates deeply, leaving the reader to ponder the complexities of love and the human experience.
By O. Henry · First published 1906 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Poetry, Philosophical Fiction · 159 words
First lines
To be so near -- and then to vanish / Like some unreal creature of the sense; / To come so near that every fiber, tingling, / Makes ready welcome; then to surge / Back into the recesses of the strange, / Mysterious unknown. Ye gods! / What agony to feel thee slowly steal / Away from us when, with caught breath / And streaming eyes, and parted lips, / We fain would with convulsive gasp / And tortured features bow our frame / In one loud spasm of homage to thy spell! / But with what grief we find we can not do it; / The dream is o'er -- we can not sneeze.
What this Textopian page supports
Futility is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1906 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: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Poetry, Philosophical Fiction, Drama, Romanticism
- Length: 159 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Futility 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
Similar titles
- Helas by Oscar Wilde
- The Furnished Room by O. Henry
- Farewell by Guy De Maupassant
- The Anguish by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Candles Of Life The Story Of A Child For Whom Death Stood Godmother by Parker Fillmore
- A Spirit Passed Before Me From Job by Lord Byron
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep emotional themes and the human experience, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Poetry — The text employs poetic language and structure, emphasizing rhythm and imagery.
- Philosophical Fiction — The themes reflect on existence and the nature of reality, aligning with philosophical inquiry.
- Drama — The emotional intensity and conflict present in the text suggest dramatic elements.
Tags
Tragic · Melancholic · Poignant · Bittersweet · Romantic · Futile · Hopeless · Despairing · Sorrowful · Gloomy · Dark · Morbid