The Gold that Glittered by O. Henry
A wealthy man dies and leaves his fortune to a poor woman he had befriended, but with the condition that she must spend it all within a year. The story follows her attempts to fulfill this requirement while also dealing with the consequences of her newfound wealth.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary · 3,556 words
First lines
A story with a moral appended is like the bill of a mosquito. It bores you, and then injects a stinging drop to irritate your conscience. Therefore let us have the moral first and be done with it. All is not gold that glitters, but it is a wise child that keeps the stopper in his bottle of testing acid.
Where Broadway skirts the corner of the square presided over by George the Veracious is the Little Rialto. Here stand the actors of that quarter, and this is their shibboleth: " ‘Nit,' says I to Frohman, ‘you can't touch me for a kopeck less than two-fifty per,' and out I walks."
What this Textopian page supports
The Gold that Glittered 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, Humor, Social Commentary, Adventure, Romance
- Length: 3,556 words
- Structure: 1 section, 64 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Gold that Glittered 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 Gold that Glittered?
- 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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- Two Recalls by O. Henry
- The Proem by O. Henry
- Did You See The Circus by O. Henry
- The Enchanted Profile by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, culture, and morality through character interactions and societal commentary.
- Humor — The narrative employs wit and irony, particularly in the portrayal of the General and his interactions with New Yorkers.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal norms and the immigrant experience in America, highlighting cultural clashes and aspirations.
- Adventure — The plot involves the General's quest for arms, reflecting themes of revolution and personal ambition.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Plot Twist · Moral Lesson · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Classic · Golden Age of American Literature