The Duplicity of Hargraves
A wealthy man's daughter is kidnapped and a ransom demanded. The kidnapper sends the father a series of cryptic clues to find the girl. The story unfolds through a series of flashbacks that reveal the true nature of the kidnapping and the motivations behind it.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Comedy, Social Commentary · 5,845 words
First lines
When Major Pendleton Talbot, of Mobile, sir, and his daughter, Miss Lydia Talbot, came to Washington to reside, they selected for a boarding place a house that stood fifty yards back from one of the quietest avenues. It was an old-fashioned brick building, with a portico upheld by tall white pillars. The yard was shaded by stately locusts and elms, and a catalpa tree in season rained its pink and white blossoms upon the grass. Rows of high box bushes lined the fence and walks. It was the Southern style and aspect of the place that pleased the eyes of the Talbots.
What this Textopian page supports
The Duplicity of Hargraves is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1911 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: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Comedy, Social Commentary, Drama, Historical Fiction
- Length: 5,845 words
- Structure: 1 section, 103 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Duplicity of Hargraves 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 Duplicity of Hargraves?
- 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
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- The Girl And The Graft by O. Henry
- A Ruler Of Men by O. Henry
- The Lotus And The Cockleburrs by O. Henry
- The Other Side Of It by O. Henry
- The Head Hunter by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, honor, and the clash between old and new societal values, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Comedy — The narrative employs humor through character interactions and situational irony, particularly in the portrayal of Hargraves and the major.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques social norms and attitudes of the South, particularly regarding class and race, reflecting on historical contexts.
- Drama — The emotional conflicts and character development create a dramatic tension, particularly in the relationship between the major and Hargraves.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Deception · Duplicity · Moral Ambiguity · Irony · Twist Ending · Plot Twist · Character Study