Red Conlin's Eloquence by O. Henry
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for his wealth and social status. However, she soon discovers that he is dying of tuberculosis and will not live long. She then sets out to find a suitable replacement husband, using her charm and wit to manipulate the men in her life. As she navigates this complex web of relationships, she must also contend with her own feelings of guilt and morality. The story explores themes of love, deception, and the human condition, raising questions about the nature of true relationships and the consequences of one's actions. Ultimately, the protagonist's pursuit of a new husband leads to a series of unexpected events that challenge her assumptions and force her to confront the reality of her own desires and motivations.
By O. Henry · First published 1906 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Short Story, Humor · 904 words
First lines
They were speaking of the power of great orators, and each one had something to say of his especial favorite.
The drummer was for backing Bourke Cockran for oratory against the world, the young lawyer thought the suave Ingersoll the most persuasive pleader, and the insurance agent advanced the claims of the magnetic W. C. P. Breckenridge.
What this Textopian page supports
Red Conlin's Eloquence 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: Literary Fiction, Short Story, Humor, Western, Drama
- Length: 904 words
- Structure: 1 section, 24 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Red Conlin's Eloquence by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Red Conlin's Eloquence?
- 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
- Round The Circle by O. Henry
- Squaring The Circle by O. Henry
- Transients In Arcadia by O. Henry
- Getting At The Facts by O. Henry
- Makes The Whole World Kin by O. Henry
- From The Cabbys Seat by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores complex themes of morality, human emotion, and social dynamics through character-driven storytelling.
- Short Story — The work is concise and focuses on a single incident, characteristic of the short story format.
- Humor — The storytelling employs wit and irony, particularly in the depiction of the characters' misadventures.
- Western — The setting and characters are rooted in the American West, featuring themes of cattle ranching and frontier justice.
Tags
American Literature · Short Story Collection · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Realism · Irony · Wit · Wordplay · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Classic