Her Failing by O. Henry (1908)
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security. She becomes pregnant and her husband's health begins to decline. He dies, leaving her with a large sum of money but also a child that she cannot care for on her own. She decides to give the child up for adoption, but not before taking it to see its father's grave one last time. The woman is shown to be struggling with the moral implications of giving up her child and the societal expectations placed upon her. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of human relationships.
By O. Henry · First published 1908 · Genre: Short Story, Literary Fiction, Comedy · 88 words
First lines
They were two Houston girls, and they were taking a spin on their wheels. They met a fluffy girl who didn't "bike," out driving with a young man in a buggy.
Of course they must say something about her -- as this is a true story and they were real, live girls -- so one of them said:
"I never did like that girl."
"Why?"
What this Textopian page supports
Her Failing is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Literary Fiction, Comedy, Social Commentary, Romance
- Length: 88 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Coming To Him by O. Henry
- The Marry Month Of May by O. Henry
- Hearts And Crosses by O. Henry
- His Doubt by O. Henry
- A Guarded Secret by O. Henry
- The Brief Debut Of Tildy by O. Henry
Genres
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on character interactions and social commentary.
- Literary Fiction — It explores themes of social dynamics and personal perceptions within a realistic setting.
- Comedy — The dialogue and situations present humorous elements, reflecting on societal norms.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques social attitudes and behaviors among young women.
Tags
Tragic Love Story · Short Story · Romance · Fate · Loss · Grief · Heartbreak · Marriage · Infidelity · Deception · Betrayal · Regret