Squaring the Circle by O. Henry
The story revolves around a young man who tries to win his sweetheart's hand in marriage by attempting to square the circle, a mathematical impossibility. He believes that if he can accomplish this feat, she will be impressed and agree to marry him. However, his efforts ultimately fail, and he is left heartbroken.
By O. Henry · First published 1908 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary · 1,815 words
First lines
At the hazard of wearying you this tale of vehement emotions must be prefaced by a discourse on geometry.
Nature moves in circles; Art in straight lines. The natural is rounded; the artificial is made up of angles. A man lost in the snow wanders, in spite of himself, in perfect circles; the city man's feet, denaturalized by rectangular streets and floors, carry him ever away from himself.
What this Textopian page supports
Squaring the Circle 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: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary, Western, Short Story
- Length: 1,815 words
- Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Squaring 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 Squaring 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
- One Consolation by O. Henry
- An Inspiration by O. Henry
- The Hand That Riles The World by O. Henry
- A Sure Method by O. Henry
- Did You See The Circus by O. Henry
- Red Conlins Eloquence by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of nature versus art, identity, and the impact of urban life on individuals, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Humor — The narrative employs wit and irony, particularly in the portrayal of the characters and their interactions with the city.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques urban life and societal norms, reflecting on how city living alters human behavior and relationships.
- Western — The background of a familial feud and the characters' origins in rural America align with Western genre elements.
Tags
Short Story Collection · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Realism · Irony · Plot Twist · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Classic · Vintage