On Behalf of the Management
The story revolves around a wealthy businessman who has been embezzling funds from his company and is on the verge of being exposed. He hires a detective to investigate him, hoping to uncover evidence that will clear his name. The detective discovers that the businessman's wife is involved in the embezzlement scheme and is using her husband's business to fund her own lavish lifestyle. The businessman is forced to confront the reality of his situation and the consequences of his actions. In a surprising twist, the businessman decides to confess to the crime and turn himself in, rather than risk being exposed by the detective. He believes that this will allow him to maintain some semblance of dignity and avoid public humiliation. The story explores themes of guilt, shame, and redemption, raising questions about the nature of morality and the consequences of one's actions.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Fiction · 5,715 words
First lines
This is the story of the man manager, and how he held his own until the very last paragraph.
I had it from Sully Magoon, viva voce. The words are indeed his; and if they do not constitute truthful fiction my memory should be taxed with the blame.
What this Textopian page supports
On Behalf of the Management 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: Satire, Comedy, Fiction, Social Commentary, Adventure
- Length: 5,715 words
- Structure: 1 section, 97 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for On Behalf of the Management 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 On Behalf of the Management?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Satire — The narrative critiques social and political norms through humor and exaggeration, particularly in the context of management and politics.
- Comedy — The story employs comedic elements, including misunderstandings and absurd situations, particularly surrounding the election and the characters' interactions.
- Fiction — The work is a fictional narrative that explores the life and ambitions of a manager in a humorous context.
- Social Commentary — It reflects on societal roles, particularly gender roles in management, and the nature of ambition and success.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Short Story Collection · American Literature · Humor · Irony · Wit · Critique of Capitalism · Class Struggle · Labor Rights · Corporate Culture · Management vs Labor