Schools and Schools by O. Henry
The story revolves around a schoolteacher who is struggling to make ends meet. He marries a woman from a wealthy family and moves into her mansion. However, he soon discovers that his wife's family has been embezzling funds from the school where she used to work. The teacher becomes aware of the corruption and decides to expose it by returning all the money that was stolen from the school. He does this anonymously, leaving a trail of clues for the authorities to follow. As a result, the corrupt officials are caught and brought to justice, but not before they try to frame the teacher for their crimes. The story ends with the teacher being cleared of any wrongdoing and his reputation restored.
By O. Henry · First published 1908 · Genre: Romantic Comedy, Social Commentary, Character Study · 5 chapters · 4,675 words
First lines
Old Jerome Warren lived in a hundred-thousand-dollar house at 35 East Fifty-Soforth Street. He was a downtown broker, so rich that he could afford to walk -- for his health -- a few blocks in the direction of his office every morning, and then call a cab.
He had an adopted son, the son of an old friend named Gilbert -- Cyril Scott could play him nicely -- who was becoming a successful painter as fast as he could squeeze the paint out of his tubes. Another member of the household was Barbara Ross, a step-niece. Man is born to trouble; so, as old Jerome had no family of his own, he took up the burdens of others.
What this Textopian page supports
Schools and Schools is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romantic Comedy, Social Commentary, Character Study, Slice of Life, Drama
- Length: 4,675 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 102 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Schools and Schools 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 Schools and Schools?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romantic Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Romantic Comedy — The plot centers around romantic entanglements and misunderstandings, typical of the romantic comedy genre.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques social norms and class distinctions, particularly through the interactions of the characters.
- Character Study — The story delves into the personalities and motivations of the characters, particularly their relationships and emotional conflicts.
- Slice of Life — The narrative captures everyday moments and interactions, reflecting the characters' lives and societal context.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Short Story Collection · American Literature · Humor · Irony · Realism · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Comedy · Wit · Sarcasm