The Apple by O. Henry (1909)
A young woman inherits a large sum of money from her uncle, but it comes with the condition that she must marry within six months to receive the inheritance. She sets out to find a suitable husband and eventually meets a man who seems perfect for her. However, just as they are about to get married, he reveals that he is actually a con artist who has been using her to gain access to her uncle's money.
By O. Henry · First published 1909 · Genre: Allegory, Philosophical Fiction, Fantasy · 291 words
First lines
A youth held in his hand a round, red, luscious apple.
"Eat," said the Spirit, "it is the apple of life."
"I will have none of it," said the Youth, and threw it far from him. "I will have success. I will have fame, fortune, power and knowledge."
"Come, then," said the Spirit.
What this Textopian page supports
The Apple is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Allegory, Philosophical Fiction, Fantasy, Drama, Literary Fiction
- Length: 291 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Apple 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 The Apple?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Allegory first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- One Dollars Worth by O. Henry
- Thimble Thimble by O. Henry
- Fancys Show Box by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Vanity by O. Henry
- The Trimmed Lamp by O. Henry
- Three Paragraphs by O. Henry
Genres
- Allegory — The narrative uses symbolic elements, such as the apple and the Spirit, to convey deeper moral and philosophical meanings about life choices and the pursuit of success.
- Philosophical Fiction — The story explores existential themes regarding the nature of success, the passage of time, and the consequences of one's choices.
- Fantasy — The presence of a Spirit and the magical qualities of the apple introduce fantastical elements that enhance the narrative's moral lessons.
- Drama — The emotional journey of the Youth and his ultimate realization provides a dramatic arc that engages the reader.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Classic Fiction · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Plot Twist · Literary Device · Symbolism · Fruit as Symbol · Poverty