The Purple Dress by O. Henry (1902)
A young woman inherits a large sum of money from her aunt and decides to use it to buy a beautiful purple dress. She then proceeds to wear the dress to church where she meets a man who falls in love with her. However, unbeknownst to him, the dress is actually a wedding dress that was intended for his own fiancée.
By O. Henry · First published 1902 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Romance · 2,335 words
First lines
We are to consider the shade known as purple. It is a color justly in repute among the sons and daughters of man. Emperors claim it for their especial dye. Good fellows everywhere seek to bring their noses to the genial hue that follows the commingling of the red and blue. We say of princes that they are born to the purple; and no doubt they are, for the colic tinges their faces with the royal tint equally with the snub-nosed countenance of a woodchopper's brat. All women love it -- when it is the fashion.
What this Textopian page supports
The Purple Dress is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1902 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: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Romance, Coming-of-Age, Short Story
- Length: 2,335 words
- Structure: 1 section, 45 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Purple Dress by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Purple Dress?
- 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
- His Doubt by O. Henry
- The Brief Debut Of Tildy by O. Henry
- What You Want by O. Henry
- The Lotus And The Bottle by O. Henry
- The Rathskeller And The Rose by O. Henry
- Girl by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of desire, social class, and personal sacrifice through character-driven narratives.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal norms and expectations regarding fashion and femininity, reflecting on the struggles of working-class women.
- Romance — The underlying romantic tension between Maida and Mr. Ramsay adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrative.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist's journey highlights themes of self-identity and the transition from youth to adulthood.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Classic Fiction · Romance · Tragedy · Love Triangle · Social Commentary · Marriage · Deception · Betrayal · Guilt · Regret