Grounds for Uneasiness by O. Henry
The story revolves around a man who is struggling to make ends meet and is forced to pawn his watch for $10. He then meets a woman who offers him $20 for the watch, but he refuses, citing that it's not worth more than $15. The woman leaves, and the man realizes he has been outsmarted by her.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary · 263 words
First lines
When Sousa's Band was in Houston a week or so ago, Professor Sousa was invited to dine with a prominent citizen who had met him while on a visit to the North.
This gentleman, while a man of high standing and reputation, has made quite a fortune by the closest kind of dealing. His economies in the smallest matters are a fruitful subject of discussion in his neighborhood, and one or two of his acquaintances have gone so far as to call him stingy.
After dinner Professor Sousa was asked to play upon the piano, of which instrument he is a master, and he did so, performing some lovely Beethoven sonatas, and compositions by the best masters.
What this Textopian page supports
Grounds for Uneasiness is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary, Short Story, Drama
- Length: 263 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Grounds for Uneasiness by O. Henry
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Grounds for Uneasiness?
- 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
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of social status and personal perception through character interactions.
- Humor — The narrative employs wit and irony, particularly in the contrast between the music and the host's concerns.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal norms regarding wealth and reputation through the portrayal of the host's character.
- Short Story — The work is concise and focuses on a single incident, characteristic of the short story format.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Plot Twist · Moral Lesson · Class Conflict · Economic Inequality · Marriage · Relationships