One Thousand Dollars by O. Henry
A wealthy man dies and leaves his fortune to a stranger who had once given him a dollar when he was down on his luck. The story explores the themes of kindness, generosity, and the power of small acts of charity.
By O. Henry · First published 1904 · Genre: Short Story, Comedy, Drama · 2,703 words
First lines
"One thousand dollars," repeated Lawyer Tolman, solemnly and severely, "and here is the money."
Young Gillian gave a decidedly amused laugh as he fingered the thin package of new fifty-dollar notes.
What this Textopian page supports
One Thousand Dollars is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1904 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: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Comedy, Drama, Social Commentary, Romance
- Length: 2,703 words
- Structure: 1 section, 64 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for One Thousand Dollars 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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- A Years Supply by O. Henry
- The Trimmed Lamp by O. Henry
- The Cop And The Anthem by O. Henry
- Hearts And Hands by O. Henry
- The Pewee by O. Henry
Genres
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on a single incident and character development.
- Comedy — The story employs humor and irony, particularly in the protagonist's attitude towards money and his interactions.
- Drama — The narrative explores emotional themes, including love, responsibility, and moral choices.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques societal values regarding wealth and the use of money.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Poverty · Wealth · Inequality · Morality · Ethics · Justice