The Defeat of the City by O. Henry
A wealthy man's daughter dies and he is overcome with grief. He decides to give away his fortune to the city, but it is too late for him to change his will. The story follows the events that unfold after her death.
By O. Henry · First published 1908 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Romance · 2,730 words
First lines
Robert Walmsley's descent upon the city resulted in a Kilkenny struggle. He came out of the fight victor by a fortune and a reputation. On the other hand, he was swallowed up by the city. The city gave him what he demanded and then branded him with its brand. It remodelled, cut, trimmed and stamped him to the pattern it approves. It opened its social gates to him and shut him in on a close-cropped, formal lawn with the select herd of ruminants. In dress, habits, manners, provincialism, routine and narrowness he acquired that charming insolence, that irritating completeness, that sophisticated crassness, that overbalanced poise that makes the Manhattan gentleman so delightfully small in his greatness.
What this Textopian page supports
The Defeat of the City is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Romance, Comedy, Coming-of-Age
- Length: 2,730 words
- Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Defeat of the City by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Defeat of the City?
- 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 Poor Rule by O. Henry
- The Greater Coney by O. Henry
- The Trimmed Lamp by O. Henry
- The Tale Of A Tainted Tenner by O. Henry
- The Sparrows In Madison Square by O. Henry
- One Dollars Worth by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, social class, and the contrast between urban and rural life, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal norms and expectations, particularly regarding class and the transformation of individuals by their environments.
- Romance — The relationship between Robert and Alicia serves as a central plot element, highlighting themes of love and societal expectations.
- Comedy — The narrative contains humorous elements, particularly in the portrayal of Robert's antics and the contrast between his city persona and rural roots.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Classic Fiction · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Urban Life · Poverty · Class Struggle · Morality Tale · Fate vs. Free Will · Irony