The Trimmed Lamp by O. Henry (1914)
A young doctor's life is turned upside down when he marries a woman who turns out to be a con artist. She uses her charm and beauty to swindle men out of their money, and the doctor becomes her latest mark. As the story unfolds, the doctor's naivety and good nature are exploited by his wife, leading to a series of comedic misadventures.
By O. Henry · First published 1914 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Realism · 5,264 words
First lines
Of course there are two sides to the question. Let us look at the other. We often hear "shop-girls" spoken of. No such persons exist. There are girls who work in shops. They make their living that way. But why turn their occupation into an adjective? Let us be fair. We do not refer to the girls who live on Fifth Avenue as "marriage-girls."
Lou and Nancy were chums. They came to the big city to find work because there was not enough to eat at their homes to go around. Nancy was nineteen; Lou was twenty. Both were pretty, active, country girls who had no ambition to go on the stage.
What this Textopian page supports
The Trimmed Lamp 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: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Realism, Romance, Short Story
- Length: 5,264 words
- Structure: 1 section, 92 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Trimmed Lamp 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 Trimmed Lamp?
- 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
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- His Only Opportunity by O. Henry
- One Dollars Worth by O. Henry
- While The Auto Waits by O. Henry
- An Opportunity Declined by O. Henry
- The Lotus And The Cockleburrs by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of social class, ambition, and the lives of working women, characterized by rich character development and nuanced prose.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal norms and expectations regarding gender roles and class distinctions, particularly in the context of early 20th-century urban life.
- Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of the struggles and aspirations of two young women in a metropolitan setting, focusing on their daily lives and interactions.
- Romance — Romantic relationships and the pursuit of love and social status are central to the plot, particularly through the dynamics between the characters.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Realism · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Poverty · Wealth · Inequality · Morality Tale · Fate vs. Free Will