The Proem by O. Henry (1906)
The Proem is a short story about a man who returns to his hometown after many years away and is met with indifference by the people he once knew. He reflects on how his life has changed and how others have moved on, while he remains stuck in the past. The story explores themes of nostalgia, regret, and the human desire for connection and belonging.
By O. Henry · First published 1906 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance · 1,648 words
First lines
They will tell you in Anchuria, that President Miraflores, of that volatile republic, died by his own hand in the coast town of Coralio; that he had reached thus far in flight from the inconveniences of an imminent revolution; and that one hundred thousand dollars, government funds, which he carried with him in an American leather valise as a souvenir of his tempestuous administration, was never afterward recovered.
For a real, a boy will show you his grave. It is back of the town near a little bridge that spans a mangrove swamp. A plain slab of wood stands at its head. Someone has burned upon the headstone with a hot iron this inscription:
What this Textopian page supports
The Proem is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1906 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: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Satire, Adventure
- Length: 1,648 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Proem 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 Proem?
- 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?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of love, ambition, and the human condition, characterized by a rich narrative style.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set against a backdrop of political turmoil and historical context, reflecting the socio-political landscape of a fictional republic.
- Romance — Central to the plot is the romantic entanglement between characters, particularly involving the opera singer and the president.
- Satire — The narrative employs humor and irony to critique political and social issues, particularly the absurdities of power and fortune.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Twist Ending · Plot Twist · Literary Fiction · Realism · Symbolism · Allegory