The Shocks of Doom by O. Henry
A wealthy man's daughter is engaged to a poor but honest young man. The father, who has been embezzling funds from his business, plans to use the marriage to cover up his crimes and secure his fortune for himself. However, the young man discovers the truth and decides to expose him instead of marrying into the family.
By O. Henry · First published 1908 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary · 2,725 words
First lines
There is an aristocracy of the public parks and even of the vagabonds who use them for their private apartments. Vallance felt rather than knew this, but when he stepped down out of his world into chaos his feet brought him directly to Madison Square.
What this Textopian page supports
The Shocks of Doom is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary, Humor, Tragedy
- Length: 2,725 words
- Structure: 1 section, 42 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Shocks of Doom 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 Shocks of Doom?
- 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
- Sufficient Provocation by O. Henry
- A Professional Secret by O. Henry
- Somebody Lied by O. Henry
- A Strange Case by O. Henry
- A Guarded Secret by O. Henry
- Bulgers Friend by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex characters and themes of social status, identity, and existential reflection.
- Drama — The narrative focuses on character interactions and emotional conflicts, highlighting personal struggles and societal issues.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques social hierarchies and the impact of wealth and poverty on human behavior.
- Humor — The dialogue contains elements of wit and irony, particularly in the characters' perspectives on their situations.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Classic Fiction · Mystery · Thriller · Crime Fiction · Plot Twist · Surprise Ending · Irony · Social Commentary · Satire · Humor