Paderewski's Hair by O. Henry (1906)
The story revolves around a wealthy man who has a peculiar obsession with Paderewski's hair. He becomes convinced that the famous pianist's locks hold mystical powers and will bring him good fortune. The man goes to great lengths to obtain a strand of Paderewski's hair, which he believes will guarantee his success in business.
By O. Henry · First published 1906 · Genre: Humor, Adventure, Fiction · 2,496 words
First lines
The Post Man had the pleasure of meeting Colonel Warburton Pollock yesterday in the rotunda of the New Hutchins.
Colonel Pollock is one of the most widely known men in this country, and has probably a more extended acquaintance with distinguished men of the times than any other living man. He is a wit, a raconteur of rare gifts, a born diplomat, and a man of worldwide travel and experience. Nothing pleases him so well as to relate his extremely interesting reminiscences of men and events to some congenial circle of listeners. His recollections of his associations with famous men and women would fill volumes.
What this Textopian page supports
Paderewski's Hair is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1906 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: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Adventure, Fiction, Satire, Slice of Life
- Length: 2,496 words
- Structure: 1 section, 48 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Paderewski's Hair 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 Paderewski's Hair?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Day We Celebrate by O. Henry
- The Barber Talks by O. Henry
- From The Cabbys Seat by O. Henry
- New York By Camp Fire Light by O. Henry
- Dicky by O. Henry
- Not So Much A Tam Fool by O. Henry
Genres
- Humor — The narrative employs wit and comedic situations, particularly through the absurdity of the scalping incident and the subsequent lion hair transplant.
- Adventure — The story features a hunting expedition in Africa, highlighting themes of exploration and camaraderie among a group of notable figures.
- Fiction — The work is a fictional account that blends real-life personalities with imaginative storytelling.
- Satire — The story satirizes celebrity culture and the absurd lengths to which individuals will go for fame and fortune.
Tags
Short Story · Humor · Satire · Irony · Social Commentary · Class Satire · American Literature · Early 20th Century · Realism · Wit · Sarcasm · Critique of Elites