Roses, Ruses and Romance 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 actually a con artist using her to gain access to high society. The narrative explores themes of deception, class differences, and the complexities of human relationships.
By O. Henry · First published 1913 · Genre: Romantic Fiction, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary · 2,266 words
First lines
Ravenel -- Ravenel, the traveller, artist and poet, threw his magazine to the floor. Sammy Brown, broker's clerk, who sat by the window, jumped.
"What is it, Ravvy? " he asked. "The critics been hammering your stock down?"
What this Textopian page supports
Roses, Ruses and Romance is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1913 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: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romantic Fiction, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Humor, Poetry
- Length: 2,266 words
- Structure: 1 section, 46 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Roses, Ruses and Romance 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 Roses, Ruses and Romance?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romantic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Unconquerable by O. Henry
- Inconsistency by O. Henry
- Girl by O. Henry
- A Years Supply by O. Henry
- The Third Ingredient by O. Henry
Genres
- Romantic Fiction — The central theme revolves around romance and the exploration of love, highlighting the protagonist's longing and idealization of a romantic connection.
- Literary Fiction — The work employs a sophisticated writing style and explores deeper themes of modernity versus romantic ideals, making it a significant piece of literary art.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques contemporary society's departure from romantic ideals, contrasting the characters' views on love and practicality.
- Humor — The dialogue and character interactions contain elements of wit and irony, providing a humorous take on the characters' perspectives on romance.
Tags
Romance · Short Stories · Classic Literature · American Fiction · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Marriage · Deception · Love · Betrayal · Revenge