Girl by O. Henry (1919)
The story revolves around a young girl who is forced to marry an older man due to her family's financial struggles. The narrative explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the societal pressures that shape individual choices.
By O. Henry · First published 1919 · Genre: Romance, Drama, Literary Fiction · 2,336 words
First lines
In gilt letters on the ground glass of the door of room No. 962 were the words: "Robbins & Hartley, Brokers. " The clerks had gone. It was past five, and with the solid tramp of a drove of prize Percherons, scrub-women were invading the cloud-capped twenty-story office building. A puff of red-hot air flavoured with lemon peelings, soft-coal smoke and train oil came in through the half-open windows.
Robbins, fifty, something of an overweight beau, and addicted to first nights and hotel palm-rooms, pretended to be envious of his partner's commuter's joys.
What this Textopian page supports
Girl is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1919 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: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Drama, Literary Fiction, Comedy, Social Commentary
- Length: 2,336 words
- Structure: 1 section, 67 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Girl 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 Girl?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Universal Favorite by O. Henry
- Her Mysterious Charm by O. Henry
- Led Astray by O. Henry
- A Good Match by Guy De Maupassant
- Roses Ruses And Romance by O. Henry
- The Rathskeller And The Rose by O. Henry
Genres
- Romance — The central plot revolves around romantic relationships and the emotional dynamics between the characters.
- Drama — The narrative explores intense emotional conflicts and character interactions, highlighting personal struggles and societal expectations.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is characterized by rich descriptions and character development, focusing on themes of love, choice, and societal roles.
- Comedy — Elements of humor and irony are present, particularly in the interactions and misunderstandings between characters.
Tags
Short Story · Classic Literature · American Fiction · Romance · Tragedy · Love Triangle · Social Commentary · Marriage · Infidelity · Deception · Betrayal · Moral Ambiguity