The Man Higher Up by O. Henry (1915)
A wealthy man's will stipulates that his fortune be divided among the people who can tell him a lie. The man's nephew and a stranger are the only ones to claim the inheritance, each trying to outdo the other in their fabrications.
By O. Henry · First published 1915 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Humor, Crime Fiction · 6,167 words
First lines
Across our two dishes of spaghetti, in a corner of Provenzano's restaurant, Jeff Peters was explaining to me the three kinds of graft.
What this Textopian page supports
The Man Higher Up is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1915 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: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Humor, Crime Fiction, Social Commentary, Adventure
- Length: 6,167 words
- Structure: 1 section, 104 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Man Higher Up 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 Man Higher Up?
- 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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- A Departmental Case by O. Henry
- An Adjustment Of Nature by O. Henry
- From The Cabbys Seat by O. Henry
- A Christmas Pi by O. Henry
- The Pride Of The Cities by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of ethics, morality, and human behavior through character-driven narratives.
- Humor — The dialogue and situations are infused with wit and irony, highlighting the absurdities of the characters' lives.
- Crime Fiction — The plot revolves around criminal activities, including burglary and financial schemes, showcasing the underbelly of society.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques societal norms and the moral implications of capitalism and graft.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Workplace Satire · Office Politics · Bureaucratic Red Tape · Comedy of Manners · Irony · Absurdity