The Badge of Policeman o'Roon
A young man inherits a badge from his deceased father, a policeman, and decides to continue the family tradition by becoming a police officer himself. However, he soon discovers that the badge has been stolen from him multiple times due to its value, leading to a series of comedic misadventures as he tries to reclaim it.
By O. Henry · First published 1910 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Historical Fiction · 2,147 words
First lines
It cannot be denied that men and women have looked upon one another for the first time and become instantly enamored. It is a risky process, this love at first sight, before she has seen him in Bradstreet or he has seen her in curl papers. But these things do happen; and one instance must form a theme for this story -- though not, thank Heaven, to the overshadowing of more vital and important subjects, such as drink, policemen, horses and earldoms.
What this Textopian page supports
The Badge of Policeman o'Roon is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1910 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: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Satire
- Length: 2,147 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Badge of Policeman o'Roon by O. Henry
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Badge of Policeman o'Roon?
- 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 complex themes of identity, social class, and the nuances of human relationships, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Romantic Comedy — The plot centers around romantic entanglements and humorous situations arising from mistaken identities and social interactions.
- Historical Fiction — Set against the backdrop of a historical war, the narrative incorporates elements of historical context and character experiences from that era.
- Adventure — The story includes elements of adventure, particularly through the character's experiences in the park and the chase scene.
Tags
Short Story · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Police Corruption · Crime Fiction · American Literature · Early 20th Century · O. Henry Style · Twist Ending · Irony · Morality Tale