The Cactus by O. Henry (1919)
A young woman inherits a large sum of money from her uncle and decides to travel the world. She meets a man who claims to be a wealthy rancher and they get married. However, it's later revealed that he's actually a poor ranch hand who was trying to escape his poverty-stricken life by marrying into wealth.
By O. Henry · First published 1919 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Psychological Fiction · 1,502 words
First lines
The most notable thing about Time is that it is so purely relative. A large amount of reminiscence is, by common consent, conceded to the drowning man; and it is not past belief that one may review an entire courtship while removing one's gloves.
That is what Trysdale was doing, standing by a table in his bachelor apartments. On the table stood a singular-looking green plant in a red earthen jar. The plant was one of the species of cacti, and was provided with long, tentacular leaves that perpetually swayed with the slightest breeze with a peculiar beckoning motion.
What this Textopian page supports
The Cactus is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1919 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: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Drama, Short Story
- Length: 1,502 words
- Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Cactus 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 Cactus?
- 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 self-reflection, egoism, and the nuances of human relationships, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around unrequited love and the emotional turmoil associated with romantic relationships.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the protagonist's inner thoughts and feelings, examining his psychological state and self-perception.
- Drama — The story presents intense emotional conflicts and character development, typical of dramatic literature.
Tags
Short Story · Literary Fiction · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Realism · Irony · Plot Twist · Character Study · Morality Tale