Not so Much a Tam Fool by O. Henry
The story revolves around a young man who is struggling to make ends meet and is forced to live with his aunt. He is desperate for money and sees an opportunity when he meets a wealthy woman who offers him a large sum of cash in exchange for a favor. The young man agrees, but things take a turn when the woman's husband returns home unexpectedly.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Short Story, Humor, Social Commentary · 477 words
First lines
A man without a collar, wearing a white vest and holes in his elbows, walked briskly into a Congress Street grocery last Saturday with a package in his hand and said:
"Here, Fritz, I bought two dozen eggs here this afternoon, and I find your clerk made a mistake, I -- "
What this Textopian page supports
Not so Much a Tam Fool 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, Slice of Life, Fiction
- Length: 477 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Not so Much a Tam Fool by O. Henry
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- From The Cabbys Seat by O. Henry
- A Sure Method by O. Henry
- The Pride Of The Cities by O. Henry
- Witches Loaves by O. Henry
- A Little Talk About Mobs by O. Henry
Genres
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on a single incident, characteristic of the short story format.
- Humor — The dialogue and situation create comedic misunderstandings, highlighting the absurdity of the characters' interactions.
- Social Commentary — The story reflects on themes of honesty and societal perceptions of character, critiquing assumptions based on appearance.
- Slice of Life — The narrative captures a moment in everyday life, emphasizing ordinary interactions and human behavior.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Humor · Fiction · Short Story · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Realism · Irony · Wit · Sarcasm · Critique of Society