The Enchanted Profile by O. Henry
A young woman's life is turned upside down when she discovers that her fiancé has been leading a double life and is actually a con artist. She must navigate the complexities of his deceitful world while trying to maintain her own sense of identity and morality.
By O. Henry · First published 1914 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Comedy, Romance · 3,440 words
First lines
There are few Caliphesses. Women are Scheherazades by birth, predilection, instinct, and arrangement of the vocal cords. The thousand and one stories are being told every day by hundreds of thousands of viziers' daughters to their respective sultans. But the bowstring will get some of 'em yet if they don't watch out.
I heard a story, though, of one lady Caliph. It isn't precisely an Arabian Nights story, because it brings in Cinderella, who flourished her dishrag in another epoch and country. So, if you don't mind the mixed dates (which seem to give it an Eastern flavour, after all), we'll get along.
What this Textopian page supports
The Enchanted Profile 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: Literary Fiction, Comedy, Romance, Social Commentary, Short Story
- Length: 3,440 words
- Structure: 1 section, 46 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Enchanted Profile 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 Enchanted Profile?
- 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 characters and themes, focusing on human relationships and societal norms.
- Comedy — The narrative employs humor and wit, particularly in the interactions between characters and the absurdity of their situations.
- Romance — The story includes romantic elements, particularly in the relationship dynamics and the protagonist's feelings towards others.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques social class and wealth, highlighting the contrasts between appearances and reality.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Twist Ending · Moral Lesson · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Classic · Realism