The Marquis and Miss Sally
A wealthy man marries a woman for her beauty, but she turns out to be ugly and unfaithful. He seeks revenge by pretending to be poor and marrying another woman who resembles his first wife in appearance. However, the second wife's inner qualities are superior to those of the first.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Western Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Social Satire · 4,639 words
First lines
Without knowing it, Old Bill Bascom had the honor of being overtaken by fate the same day with the Marquis of Borodale.
What this Textopian page supports
The Marquis and Miss Sally 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: Western Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Social Satire, Adventure, Character Study
- Length: 4,639 words
- Structure: 1 section, 105 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Marquis and Miss Sally 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 Marquis and Miss Sally?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Western Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- By Courier by O. Henry
- Her Ruse by O. Henry
- A Double Dyed Deceiver by O. Henry
- Holding Up A Train by O. Henry
- Cupid A La Carte by O. Henry
- Her Mysterious Charm by O. Henry
Genres
- Western Fiction — The setting and characters are deeply rooted in the American West, featuring cowboys, ranch life, and the culture of the region.
- Romantic Comedy — The narrative includes humorous situations and a romantic subplot between the cook and the Marquis, culminating in a comedic wedding.
- Social Satire — The story critiques social class distinctions and the absurdities of aristocracy through the interactions of the characters.
- Adventure — The characters experience various adventures typical of cowboy life, including camaraderie and challenges in the ranching environment.
Tags
Romance · Short Story · American Literature · 19th Century Fiction · Social Class · Love Triangle · Deception · Mystery · Plot Twist · Satire · Comedy of Manners · Upper Class