Something for Baby by O. Henry
The story revolves around a young couple who are struggling to make ends meet. The wife becomes pregnant and the husband decides to write a series of letters to his unborn child, detailing his hopes and dreams for its future. However, he dies before the baby is born, leaving behind a collection of letters that serve as a testament to his love and aspirations for their child.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Short Story, Social Commentary · 279 words
First lines
This is nothing but a slight jar in the happy holiday music; a minor note struck by the finger of Fate, slipping upon the keys, as anthems of rejoicing and Christmas carols make the Yuletide merry.
The Post man stood yesterday in one of the largest fancy and drygoods stores on Main Street, watching the throng of well-dressed buyers, mostly ladies, who were turning over the stock of Christmas notions and holiday goods.
Presently a little, slim, white-faced girl crept timidly through the crowd to the counter. She was dressed in thin calico, and her shoes were patched and clumsy.
She looked about her with a manner half mournful, half scared.
What this Textopian page supports
Something for Baby 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: Literary Fiction, Short Story, Social Commentary, Christmas Fiction, Drama
- Length: 279 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Something for Baby 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 Something for Baby?
- 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?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of innocence, poverty, and the human condition, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and focused, fitting the structure of a short story.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques societal norms and highlights issues of class and economic disparity.
- Christmas Fiction — The setting and themes are centered around the Christmas season, making it relevant to holiday literature.
Tags
Short Story · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Marriage · Relationships · Love · Infidelity · Deception · Moral Ambiguity · Irony · Twist Ending