His only Opportunity by O. Henry
A young man's life is turned upside down when he discovers a large sum of money and must navigate the consequences of his newfound wealth.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Short Story, Humor, Social Commentary · 306 words
First lines
Last week "The Rainmakers" gave two performances in Houston. At the night performance a prominent local politician occupied one of the front seats, as near to the stage as possible. He carried in his hand a glossy silk hat, and he seemed to be in a state of anxious suspense, fidgeting about in his chair, and holding his hat in both hands straight before him. A friend who occupied a seat directly behind, leaned over and asked the cause of his agitation.
What this Textopian page supports
His only Opportunity is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1911 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: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Humor, Social Commentary, Drama, Fiction
- Length: 306 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for His only Opportunity by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering His only Opportunity?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Story first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Night Errant by O. Henry
- The Unprofitable Servant by O. Henry
- The Trimmed Lamp by O. Henry
- An Opportunity Declined by O. Henry
- The Cop And The Anthem by O. Henry
- Recognition by O. Henry
Genres
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative that encapsulates a complete story within a limited word count.
- Humor — The dialogue and situation present a comedic take on the politician's desire for recognition and the absurdity of his predicament.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques societal perceptions of politicians and the longing for respect and dignity.
- Drama — The emotional tension and character development reflect dramatic elements, particularly in the politician's internal conflict.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Realism · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Poverty · Opportunity · Chance Encounter · Moral Lesson · Irony