Led Astray by O. Henry (1916)
A young woman's life is turned upside down when she discovers her fiancé is actually a con artist who has been using her to fund his schemes. She becomes embroiled in his world of deception and must navigate the complexities of her own morality.
By O. Henry · First published 1916 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance · 2,987 words
First lines
There was no happier family in all Houston than the O'Malleys. Mr. O'Malley held a responsible position in one of our large breweries, and was a thrifty citizen and an indulgent husband and father. His son Pat was part owner of a flourishing little grocery, and also played the E-flat horn in the band that discourses sweet music Sunday afternoons in a building on one of our quietest unpaved avenues.
The light and hope of the family was the youngest daughter, Kathleen, an ebon-haired girl of 19, with Madonna-like features, and eyes as black as the wings of the crow. They lived in a little rose-embowered cottage near the corner where the street car turns.
What this Textopian page supports
Led Astray 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: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance, Social Commentary, Humor
- Length: 2,987 words
- Structure: 1 section, 60 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Led Astray 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 Led Astray?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- He Also Serves by O. Henry
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of love, temptation, and societal pressures through character-driven narratives.
- Drama — The story presents intense emotional conflicts and character struggles, particularly around addiction and relationships.
- Romance — Central to the plot is the romantic relationship between Kathleen and Fergus, highlighting love's challenges.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques social institutions and behaviors, particularly regarding the influence of peer pressure and addiction.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Classic Fiction · Moral Lesson · Deception · Betrayal · Love Triangle · Social Commentary · Satire · Irony · Twist Ending · Romance