The Social Triangle by O. Henry
A young woman's husband leaves her for another woman, but the wife discovers that the other woman is actually a man in disguise. The story explores themes of deception and the complexities of human relationships.
By O. Henry · First published 1908 · Genre: Social Commentary, Literary Fiction, Humor · 2,222 words
First lines
At the stroke of six Ikey Snigglefritz laid down his goose. Ikey was a tailor's apprentice. Are there tailor's apprentices nowadays?
At any rate, Ikey toiled and snipped and basted and pressed and patched and sponged all day in the steamy fetor of a tailor-shop. But when work was done Ikey hitched his wagon to such stars as his firmament let shine.
What this Textopian page supports
The Social Triangle 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: Social Commentary, Literary Fiction, Humor, Drama, Character Study
- Length: 2,222 words
- Structure: 1 section, 48 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Social Triangle 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 Social Triangle?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Social Commentary first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Masters Of Arts by O. Henry
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- A Strange Case by O. Henry
- An Apology by O. Henry
- The Gold That Glittered by O. Henry
Genres
- Social Commentary — The narrative explores themes of class disparity, ambition, and the human condition, reflecting on societal structures.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is characterized by rich descriptions and character development, focusing on the inner lives of the protagonists.
- Humor — The story employs irony and wit, particularly in the portrayal of Ikey's delusions and the absurdity of social aspirations.
- Drama — The plot revolves around personal struggles and social interactions, highlighting emotional conflicts and aspirations.
Tags
Short Story · Literary Fiction · Social Commentary · Satire · Comedy · Irony · Plot Twist · Moral Lesson · Relationships · Marriage · Love Triangle · Deception