The Exact Science of Matrimony
A young couple's marriage is put to the test when they are forced to live with a disagreeable aunt who has a habit of criticizing their relationship and interfering in their personal lives. The wife becomes increasingly frustrated with her husband's inability to stand up for himself against his aunt, leading to tension and conflict within the marriage.
By O. Henry · First published 1900 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Fiction · 2,836 words
First lines
"As I have told you before," said Jeff Peters, "I never had much confidence in the perfidiousness of woman. As partners or coeducators in the most innocent line of graft they are not trustworthy."
"They deserve the compliment," said I. "I think they are entitled to be called the honest sex."
What this Textopian page supports
The Exact Science of Matrimony 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: Comedy, Satire, Fiction, Romance, Short Story
- Length: 2,836 words
- Structure: 1 section, 63 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Exact Science of Matrimony by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Exact Science of Matrimony?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Comedy — The narrative employs humor and wit to explore the absurdities of romantic pursuits and matrimonial schemes.
- Satire — It critiques societal norms surrounding marriage and the motivations behind romantic relationships, highlighting the folly of both men and women.
- Fiction — The story is a work of fiction that presents a narrative centered on characters and their interactions in a fictional setting.
- Romance — Romantic elements are present, particularly in the subplot involving the widow and her love interest, showcasing the complexities of love.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Marriage · Relationships · Comedy · Irony · Wit · Humor · Literary Fiction · American Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism