Recognition by O. Henry (1917)
The story revolves around a man who returns to his hometown after being away for many years and seeks revenge against the people who wronged him in the past. He manipulates them into committing crimes that ultimately lead to their downfall, while he remains unscathed. The narrative explores themes of justice, morality, and the consequences of one's actions.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Humor · 148 words
First lines
The new woman came in with a firm and confident tread. She hung her hat on a nail, stood her cane in the corner, and kissed her husband gayly as he was mixing the biscuit for supper.
"Any luck today, dearie? " asked the man as his careworn face took on an anxious expression.
"The best of luck," she said with a joyous smile. "The day has come when the world recognizes woman as man's equal in everything. She is no longer content to occupy a lower plane than his, and is his competitor in all the fields of action. I obtained a position today at fifty dollars per week for the entire season."
"What is the position?"
What this Textopian page supports
Recognition is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Humor, Drama, Short Story
- Length: 148 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Recognition 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 Recognition?
- 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
- His Only Opportunity by O. Henry
- Compliments Of The Season by O. Henry
- Did You See The Circus by O. Henry
- Simmons Saturday Night by O. Henry
- The Elusive Tenderloin by O. Henry
- A Valedictory by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of gender roles and societal expectations, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal norms regarding gender equality and the evolving role of women.
- Humor — The narrative employs wit and irony, particularly in the context of the woman's new job.
- Drama — The emotional dynamics between the characters create a dramatic tension.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Identity Crisis · Self-Discovery · Recognition Theme · Irony · Twist Ending · Plot Twist