Had a Use for It by O. Henry (1917)
The story revolves around a man who is struggling to make ends meet and is forced to pawn his watch for $10. He then uses the money to buy a ticket to a prize fight, where he wins $100 by betting on the outcome. However, when he tries to redeem his watch, he finds out that it has been sold to someone else.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Humor, Satire, Short Story · 423 words
First lines
A strong scent of onions and the kind of whisky advertised "for mechanical purposes" came through the keyhole, closely followed by an individual bearing a bulky manuscript under his arm about the size of a roll of wall paper.
The individual was of the description referred to by our English cousins as "one of the lower classes," and by Populist papers as "the bone and sinew of the country," and the scene of his invasion was the sanctum of a great Texas weekly newspaper.
What this Textopian page supports
Had a Use for It 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: Humor, Satire, Short Story, Social Commentary, Fiction
- Length: 423 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Had a Use for It 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 Had a Use for It?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Greater Coney by O. Henry
- A Years Supply by O. Henry
- The Green Door by O. Henry
- The Elusive Tenderloin by O. Henry
- A Narrow Escape by O. Henry
- His Only Opportunity by O. Henry
Genres
- Humor — The story employs wit and irony to critique societal norms and the publishing industry.
- Satire — It satirizes the political landscape and the media's role in shaping public opinion.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and focused, typical of the short story format.
- Social Commentary — It reflects on class distinctions and the struggles of the working class.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Plot Twist · Moral Lesson · Fate vs Free Will · Class Struggle · Poverty · Wealth Inequality