The Guardian of the Accolade
A young man inherits a large sum of money from a distant relative he has never met. He decides to travel to the town where his relative lived and learn more about him. Upon arrival, he discovers that the townspeople are all wearing medals with the image of a lion on them, which they claim were given to them by his relative as a symbol of their good character. The young man is skeptical but decides to wear one himself, hoping to fit in with the locals. However, when he tries to return the medal, he finds that it has become a part of him and cannot be removed. As he navigates the complexities of small-town life, the young man begins to realize that the true value of the medal lies not in its material worth but in the sense of community and belonging it represents.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary · 4,155 words
First lines
Not the least important of the force of the Weymouth Bank was Uncle Bushrod. Sixty years had Uncle Bushrod given of faithful service to the house of Weymouth as chattel, servitor, and friend. Of the colour of the mahogany bank furniture was Uncle Bushrod -- thus dark was he externally; white as the uninked pages of the bank ledgers was his soul. Eminently pleasing to Uncle Bushrod would the comparison have been; for to him the only institution in existence worth considering was the Weymouth Bank, of which he was something between porter and generalissimo-in-charge.
What this Textopian page supports
The Guardian of the Accolade is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary, Historical Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 4,155 words
- Structure: 1 section, 57 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for The Guardian of the Accolade by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Guardian of the Accolade?
- 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 Call Of The Tame by O. Henry
- A Night Errant by O. Henry
- Mammon And The Archer by O. Henry
- His Only Opportunity by O. Henry
- Recognition by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of honor, loyalty, and moral dilemmas through character-driven narratives.
- Drama — The story presents intense emotional conflicts and character interactions that drive the plot.
- Social Commentary — It addresses issues of race, class, and societal expectations within a historical context.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and character dynamics reflect a specific historical period and social structure.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Morality Tale · Fable · Symbolism · Irony · Twist Ending · Plot Twist