Holding up a Train by O. Henry
The story revolves around a man who holds up a train to rob it, but his plan goes awry when he discovers that the passengers are all wealthy and well-connected individuals. As he tries to escape with the loot, he becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships between the passengers, including a romance between two people from different social classes. The story explores themes of class, identity, and the consequences of one's actions.
By O. Henry · First published 1915 · Genre: Western, Adventure, Crime · 5,254 words
First lines
Note. The man who told me these things was for several years an outlaw in the Southwest and a follower of the pursuit he so frankly describes. His description of the modus operandi should prove interesting, his counsel of value to the potential passenger in some future "holdup," while his estimate of the pleasures of train robbing will hardly induce anyone to adopt it as a profession. I give the story in almost exactly his own words.
O. H.
What this Textopian page supports
Holding up a Train is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1915 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: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Western, Adventure, Crime, Humor, Historical Fiction
- Length: 5,254 words
- Structure: 1 section, 61 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Holding up a Train 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 Holding up a Train?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Western first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Western — The story is set in the American West and revolves around train robbers, embodying the themes and characters typical of Western literature.
- Adventure — The plot centers on the thrilling and dangerous act of train robbery, highlighting the excitement and risks involved.
- Crime — The narrative focuses on criminal activities, specifically train robbery, and the mindset of the criminals involved.
- Humor — The writing style includes comedic elements, particularly in the portrayal of the passengers and the absurdity of the situations.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Railway · Train · Comedy of Manners · Irony · Plot Twist · Deception · Moral Lesson