Innocents of Broadway by O. Henry
The story revolves around a young couple who are struggling to make ends meet on the streets of New York City. They are forced to live in poverty and rely on their wits to survive. The woman, who is pregnant, becomes desperate when her husband abandons her, leaving her alone with no means of support.
By O. Henry · First published 1916 · Genre: Short Story, Humor, Social Commentary · 3,127 words
First lines
"I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it. I've always managed to leave a customer some little gewgaw to paste in his scrapbook or stick between his Seth Thomas clock and the wall after we are through trading.
"There was one time I came near having to break this rule of mine and do a profligate and illaudable action, but I was saved from it by the laws and statutes of our great and profitable country.
What this Textopian page supports
Innocents of Broadway is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1916 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: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Humor, Social Commentary, Fiction, Adventure
- Length: 3,127 words
- Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Innocents of Broadway by O. Henry
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Innocents of Broadway?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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- Conscience In Art by O. Henry
- The Poet And The Peasant by O. Henry
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Genres
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on a specific incident involving two characters and their moral dilemmas.
- Humor — The writing employs wit and irony, particularly in the portrayal of the characters' interactions and the absurdity of their situation.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques urban life and the naivety of individuals in a bustling city, highlighting themes of trust and deception.
- Fiction — The narrative is a work of fiction, presenting imagined characters and scenarios that reflect real-life themes.
Tags
Short Story Collection · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Realism · Urban Life · New York City · Poverty · Struggle · Hope · Redemption