Round the Circle by O. Henry (1913)
A man returns to his hometown after a long absence and reunites with an old flame. However, she has married another man and the protagonist's feelings are complicated by her husband's kindness towards him. The story explores themes of love, regret, and the complexities of human relationships.
By O. Henry · First published 1913 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Western, Humor · 2,164 words
First lines
"Find yo' shirt all right, Sam? " asked Mrs. Webber, from her chair under the live-oak, where she was comfortably seated with a paperback volume for company.
"It balances perfeckly, Marthy," answered Sam, with a suspicious pleasantness in his tone. "At first I was about ter be a little reckless and kick 'cause ther buttons was all off, but since I diskiver that the button holes is all busted out, why, I wouldn't go so fur as to say the buttons is any loss to speak of."
What this Textopian page supports
Round the Circle 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: Literary Fiction, Western, Humor, Drama, Romance
- Length: 2,164 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Round the Circle 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 Round the Circle?
- 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
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of personal growth, relationships, and self-reflection, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Western — Set in a rural, frontier environment, it features elements typical of Western narratives, including ranch life and the challenges of the landscape.
- Humor — The dialogue and character interactions contain a humorous undertone, particularly in the portrayal of domestic life and the protagonist's self-deprecating thoughts.
- Drama — The emotional conflicts and character development throughout the narrative create a dramatic tension that drives the story.
Tags
Short Story Collection · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Realism · Irony · Twist Ending · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Classic Literature · 19th Century American Literature