Shoes by O. Henry (1917)
The story revolves around a poor man who finds a pair of shoes that have been left behind by a wealthy traveler. The shoes are expensive and well-made, but the poor man has no way to return them to their rightful owner. He decides to keep the shoes for himself, rationalizing that he needs them more than the wealthy traveler does. However, as he wears the shoes, he begins to feel guilty about his decision. The story explores themes of class and social status, highlighting the differences between the haves and have-nots. It also touches on the idea of morality and whether it is right to take something that doesn't belong to you, even if it seems like a small thing like a pair of shoes.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Humor, Satire, Fiction · 3,901 words
First lines
John De Graffenreid Atwood ate of the lotus, root, stem, and flower. The tropics gobbled him up. He plunged enthusiastically into his work, which was to try to forget Rosine.
Now, they who dine on the lotus rarely consume it plain. There is a sauce au diable that goes with it; and the distillers are the chefs who prepare it. And on Johnny's menu card it read "brandy. " With a bottle between them, he and Billy Keogh would sit on the porch of the little consulate at night and roar out great, indecorous songs, until the natives, slipping hastily past, would shrug a shoulder and mutter things to themselves about the "Americanos diablos."
What this Textopian page supports
Shoes 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: Humor, Satire, Fiction, Romance, Adventure
- Length: 3,901 words
- Structure: 1 section, 65 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Shoes 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 Shoes?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Proem by O. Henry
- The Gold That Glittered by O. Henry
- An Inspiration by O. Henry
- The Shamrock And The Palm by O. Henry
- Slightly Mixed by O. Henry
- A Valedictory by O. Henry
Genres
- Humor — The story employs irony and comedic situations, particularly in the misunderstanding surrounding the shoe store, which serves as a central plot device.
- Satire — It critiques the naivety of business ventures in a culturally mismatched environment, highlighting the absurdity of the protagonist's situation.
- Fiction — The narrative is a work of fiction that explores character interactions and societal norms within a specific setting.
- Romance — The protagonist's unresolved feelings for Rosine add a romantic element to the plot, influencing his actions and decisions.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Plot Twist · Literary Fiction · Classic · Realism · Symbolism · Fiction