The Bruised Reed by O. Henry (1900)
This is a short story about a young man who returns to his hometown after being away for many years. He is met with suspicion and hostility by the townspeople, who are wary of outsiders. The young man tries to make amends and reconnect with his past, but he is ultimately rejected by those he had hoped to reconcile with.
By O. Henry · First published 1900 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama · 1,447 words
First lines
The popular preacher sat in his study before a glowing grate, and a satisfied smile stole over his features, as he remembered his sermon of that morning. He had struck strong blows at sin; relating to his breathless congregation in plain and burning words, tales of the wickedness, debauchery, drunkenness and depravity that was going on in their very midst.
What this Textopian page supports
The Bruised Reed is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1900 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: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama, Religious Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 1,447 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Bruised Reed 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 Bruised Reed?
- 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
- A Righteous Outburst by O. Henry
- The Assessor Of Success by O. Henry
- Transformation Of Martin Burney by O. Henry
- The Unprofitable Servant by O. Henry
- The Old Apple Dealer by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Call Of The Tame by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of morality, redemption, and societal judgment through character interactions and introspection.
- Social Commentary — It critiques social issues such as poverty, addiction, and the hypocrisy of religious figures in society.
- Drama — The narrative features intense emotional exchanges and conflicts between characters, highlighting their struggles.
- Religious Fiction — The story incorporates religious themes and references, particularly focusing on redemption and forgiveness.
Tags
Short Story Collection · American Literature · Humorous Fiction · Social Commentary · Satire · Realism · Literary Fiction · Classic Novel · Picaresque Narrative · Morality Tale · Fictionalized Autobiography · Coming of Age