The Old Landmark by O. Henry (1915)
A young woman inherits a large sum of money from her uncle and decides to use it to help those in need. She sets up a fund to provide for the poor and needy in her community, but soon realizes that her efforts are being undermined by a group of people who are taking advantage of the system.
By O. Henry · First published 1915 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Short Story, Realism · 279 words
First lines
He was old and feeble and his sands of life were nearly run out. He walked with faltering steps along one of the most fashionable avenues in the city of Houston. He had left the city twenty years ago, when it was little more than a thriving village, and now, weary of wandering through the world and filled with an unutterable longing to rest his eyes once more upon the scenes of his youth, he had come back to find a bustling modern city covering the site of his former home. He sought in vain for some familiar object, some old time sight that would recall memories of bygone days. All had changed. On the site where his father's cottage had stood, a stately mansion reared its walls; the vacant lot where he had played when a boy, was covered with modern buildings. Magnificent lawns stretched on either hand, running back to palatial dwellings. Not one of the sights of his boyhood days was left.
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Landmark 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, Short Story, Realism, Drama, Historical Fiction
- Length: 279 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Old Landmark by O. Henry
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Old Landmark?
- 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 Poet And The Peasant by O. Henry
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- The Guardian Of The Accolade by O. Henry
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of nostalgia, memory, and the passage of time, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and structured as a short story, focusing on a single character's experience.
- Realism — The depiction of the character's return to a changed city reflects realistic elements of life and societal change.
- Drama — The emotional journey of the protagonist and the poignant conclusion evoke dramatic themes.
Tags
American Literature · Short Story Collection · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Realism · Regionalism · Southern Gothic · Nostalgia · Coming of Age · Family Dynamics · Small Town Life