The Stranger's Appeal by O. Henry
A young woman marries a wealthy man for his money and social status, but her husband's sudden death leaves her with a large inheritance and a mysterious stranger who claims to be the deceased's illegitimate son. The story explores themes of love, greed, and deception as the woman navigates her complicated relationships with the stranger and her late husband's family.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Satire, Social Commentary, Short Story · 475 words
First lines
He was tall and angular and had a keen gray eye and a solemn face. His dark coat was buttoned high and had something of a clerical cut. His pepper and salt trousers almost cleared the tops of his shoes, but his tall hat was undeniably respectable, and one would have said he was a country preacher out for a holiday. He was driving a light wagon, and he stopped and climbed out when he came up to where five or six men were sitting on the post-office porch in a little country town in Texas.
What this Textopian page supports
The Stranger's Appeal is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1911 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: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Social Commentary, Short Story, Humor, Drama
- Length: 475 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Stranger's Appeal by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Stranger's Appeal?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- His Only Opportunity by O. Henry
- An Opportunity Declined by O. Henry
- The Shamrock And The Palm by O. Henry
- Recognition by O. Henry
- The Unprofitable Servant by O. Henry
Genres
- Satire — The work critiques societal attitudes and injustices through humor and irony.
- Social Commentary — It addresses serious social issues, particularly racial violence and moral indifference.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and focused, typical of the short story format.
- Humor — The dialogue and situation contain elements of wit and absurdity.
Tags
Short Story · Literary Fiction · American Literature · Classic Novel · Mystery · Thriller · Psychological Drama · Social Commentary · Satire · Irony · Plot Twist · Unreliable Narrator