The Shock by O. Henry (1910)
A young woman's life is turned upside down when she discovers that her husband has been leading a double life and has abandoned her for another woman. The story explores themes of love, deception, and the consequences of one's actions.
By O. Henry · First published 1910 · Genre: Humor, Fiction, Short Story · 463 words
First lines
A man with a very pale face, wearing a woolen comforter and holding a slender stick in his hand, staggered into a Houston drug store yesterday and leaned against the counter, holding the other hand tightly against his breast.
The clerk got a graduating glass, and poured an ounce of spiritus frumenti into it quickly, and handed it to him. The man drank it at a gulp.
What this Textopian page supports
The Shock is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1910 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: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Fiction, Short Story, Social Commentary, Slice of Life
- Length: 463 words
- Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Shock 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 Shock?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Trimmed Lamp by O. Henry
- His Only Opportunity by O. Henry
- Nemesis And The Candy Man by O. Henry
- From The Cabbys Seat by O. Henry
- The Sparrows In Madison Square by O. Henry
- One Dollars Worth by O. Henry
Genres
- Humor — The story employs comedic elements through the absurdity of the situation and the protagonist's exaggerated reactions.
- Fiction — The narrative is a work of fiction, presenting a fictional scenario and characters.
- Short Story — The work is concise and structured as a short story, focusing on a single incident.
- Social Commentary — The story subtly critiques social interactions and the dynamics between landlords and tenants.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Irony · Plot Twist · Surprise Ending · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Poverty · Wealth · Inequality · Morality Tale