The Memento by O. Henry (1911)
A wealthy man's fortune is stolen and he sets out to track down the thief, but his memory loss due to a head injury makes it difficult for him to recall events and people. He uses a system of notes and tattoos to try and piece together what happened.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Drama, Literary Fiction, Romance · 4,052 words
First lines
Miss Lynnette D'Armande turned her back on Broadway. This was but tit for tat, because Broadway had often done the same thing to Miss D'Armande. Still, the "tats" seemed to have it, for the ex-leading lady of the "Reaping the Whirlwind" company had everything to ask of Broadway, while there was no vice-versa.
What this Textopian page supports
The Memento is listed on Textopian as a novella 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: Novella
- Author: O. Henry
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Literary Fiction, Romance, Comedy, Social Commentary
- Length: 4,052 words
- Structure: 1 section, 80 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Memento 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 Memento?
- How does this novella by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Universal Favorite by O. Henry
- The Unprofitable Servant by O. Henry
- Mammon And The Archer by O. Henry
- Somebody Lied by O. Henry
- A Ruler Of Men by O. Henry
- Tracked To Doom by O. Henry
Genres
- Drama — The narrative revolves around the lives and struggles of performers, highlighting their emotional experiences and interpersonal relationships.
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, ambition, and the contrast between idealism and reality, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Romance — The story includes romantic elements, particularly the protagonist's relationship with a man who represents an idealized love.
- Comedy — There are humorous elements and witty dialogue that reflect the absurdities of the characters' lives in the theatrical world.
Tags
Short Story · Classic Literature · American Fiction · Mystery · Thriller · Plot Twist · Irony · Revenge · Memory · Loss · Guilt · Redemption