The Barber Talks by O. Henry (1914)
A young man visits a barber and asks him to cut his hair in the style of a famous actor. The barber agrees but warns that it will cost more than usual. When the young man returns for the haircut, he finds that the barber has not only cut his hair but also shaved off his mustache and eyebrows, leaving him looking like the actor.
By O. Henry · First published 1914 · Genre: Humor, Fiction, Satire · 1,658 words
First lines
The Post Man slid into the chair with an apologetic manner, for the barber's gaze was superior and scornful. He was so devilish, cool and selfpossessed, and held the public in such infinite contempt.
The Post Man's hair had been cut close with the clippers on the day before.
What this Textopian page supports
The Barber Talks is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1914 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: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Fiction, Satire, Short Story, Character Study
- Length: 1,658 words
- Structure: 1 section, 34 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Barber Talks 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 Barber Talks?
- 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
- A Startling Demonstration by O. Henry
- Slightly Mixed by O. Henry
- Marvelous by O. Henry
- Guessed Everything Else by O. Henry
- The Day We Celebrate by O. Henry
- The Pride Of The Cities by O. Henry
Genres
- Humor — The narrative employs comedic elements through the barber's absurd stories and interactions, creating a humorous atmosphere.
- Fiction — The work is a fictional narrative that explores the life and experiences of a barber and his customers.
- Satire — The story satirizes social norms and behaviors, particularly through the barber's disdainful attitude and the absurdity of the situations.
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative that encapsulates a complete story within a limited word count.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Realism · Irony · Plot Twist · Character Study · Morality Tale