The Snow Man by O. Henry (1915)
A wealthy man dies and leaves his fortune to a poor but honest snowman he had befriended. The snowman's caretaker is left with the task of delivering the news to the snowman, who has melted away by the time he arrives.
By O. Henry · First published 1915 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Humor · 7,366 words
First lines
Housed and windowpaned from it, the greatest wonder to little children is the snow. To men, it is something like a crucible in which their world melts into a white star ten million miles away. The man who can stand the test is a Snow Man; and this is his reading by Fahrenheit, Reaumur, or Moses's carven tablets of stone.
What this Textopian page supports
The Snow Man is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1915 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: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Humor, Adventure, Romance
- Length: 7,366 words
- Structure: 1 section, 113 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Snow Man 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 Snow Man?
- 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
- The Lonesome Road by O. Henry
- The Missing Chord by O. Henry
- The Unprofitable Servant by O. Henry
- Simmons Saturday Night by O. Henry
- The Sphinx Apple by O. Henry
- The Lotus And The Bottle by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of human nature, isolation, and the psychological effects of snow, showcasing a rich narrative style.
- Drama — The interactions between characters create tension and conflict, highlighting emotional struggles and relationships.
- Humor — The dialogue and character dynamics include comedic elements, particularly in the absurdity of their situation and interactions.
- Adventure — The setting in a snowbound ranch introduces elements of survival and the challenges posed by the environment.
Tags
Short Story · Literary Fiction · American Literature · Winter Setting · Poetic Prose · Symbolism · Nature Imagery · Solitude · Isolation · Mystery · Unreliable Narrator · Twist Ending