The Remnants of the Code by O. Henry
A young man inherits a large sum of money from a distant relative he has never met. He decides to travel to the town where his relative lived and learn more about him. Upon arrival, he discovers that the townspeople are all eccentric and seem to be hiding secrets. The young man becomes fascinated with uncovering the truth behind their strange behavior and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his inheritance.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary · 3,718 words
First lines
Breakfast in Coralio was at eleven. Therefore the people did not go to market early. The little wooden market-house stood on a patch of short-trimmed grass, under the vivid green foliage of a breadfruit tree.
Thither one morning the venders leisurely convened, bringing their wares with them. A porch or platform six feet wide encircled the building, shaded from the mid-morning sun by the projecting, grass-thatched roof. Upon this platform the venders were wont to display their goods -- newly-killed beef, fish, crabs, fruit of the country, cassava, eggs, dulces and high, tottering stacks of native tortillas as large around as the sombrero of a Spanish grandee.
What this Textopian page supports
The Remnants of the Code is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary, Tragedy, Humor
- Length: 3,718 words
- Structure: 1 section, 54 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Remnants of the Code 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 Remnants of the Code?
- 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 morality, social status, and personal downfall, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Drama — The narrative features intense character interactions and conflicts, particularly surrounding the protagonist's struggles and moral dilemmas.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques societal norms and the consequences of one's actions within a community.
- Tragedy — The protagonist's decline and ultimate moral conflict align with tragic elements, highlighting themes of fate and despair.
Tags
Short Story Collection · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Realism · Irony · Twist Ending · Moral Lesson · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Classic