The Telegram by O. Henry (1914)
A young woman sends a telegram to her lover, but it's intercepted and read by the wrong person. The story explores themes of love, deception, and the power of words.
By O. Henry · First published 1914 · Genre: Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life · 716 words
First lines
Scene: Telegraph office in Houston.
Enter handsome black velour cape, trimmed with jet and braid, with Tibetan fur collar, all enclosing lovely young lady.
What this Textopian page supports
The Telegram is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1914 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: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life, Romance, Satire
- Length: 716 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Telegram 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 Telegram?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Fatal Error by O. Henry
- The Song And The Sergeant by O. Henry
- The Romance Of A Busy Broker by O. Henry
- The Marquis And Miss Sally by O. Henry
- The Plutonian Fire by O. Henry
- October And June by O. Henry
Genres
- Comedy — The dialogue and situation create humor through misunderstandings and the young lady's naivety.
- Drama — The emotional stakes of communication and the young lady's desires reflect dramatic themes.
- Slice of Life — The narrative captures a brief, everyday interaction in a telegraph office.
- Romance — The content of the telegram hints at romantic themes and relationships.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Plot Twist · Mystery · Romance · Tragedy · Fate · Destiny