Man about Town by O. Henry (1902)
The story revolves around a man who has been living off his charm and good looks, but is ultimately brought down by his own arrogance and lack of substance. He is forced to confront the emptiness of his life when he meets a woman who sees through his facade.
By O. Henry · First published 1902 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary · 2,072 words
First lines
There were two or three things that I wanted to know. I do not care about a mystery. So I began to inquire.
It took me two weeks to find out what women carry in dress suitcases. And then I began to ask why a mattress is made in two pieces. This serious query was at first received with suspicion because it sounded like a conundrum. I was at last assured that its double form of construction was designed to make lighter the burden of woman, who makes up beds. I was so foolish as to persist, begging to know why, then, they were not made in two equal pieces; whereupon I was shunned.
What this Textopian page supports
Man about Town is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1902 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: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary, Character Study, Short Story
- Length: 2,072 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Man about Town 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 Man about Town?
- 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
- A Little Talk About Mobs by O. Henry
- A Cosmopolite In A Cafe by O. Henry
- Ridiculous by O. Henry
- Relieved by O. Henry
- The Pride Of The Cities by O. Henry
- Modern Rural Sports by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity and societal roles through a nuanced narrative style.
- Humor — The text employs wit and irony to critique social norms and character types in urban life.
- Social Commentary — It reflects on the behaviors and characteristics of a specific social type within the urban environment.
- Character Study — The narrative focuses on the exploration and definition of a particular character archetype.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Comedy · Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Irony · Wit · Society Satire · Class Satire · Urban Life · City Life