The World and the Door by O. Henry
A young man inherits a large sum of money from a distant relative he has never met. He decides to travel the world and experience new cultures before settling down with his inheritance. Along the way, he meets various people who teach him valuable lessons about life and love. Ultimately, he returns home with a newfound appreciation for the simple things in life and a deeper understanding of himself.
By O. Henry · First published 1919 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Drama · 5,727 words
First lines
A favourite dodge to get your story read by the public is to assert that it is true, and then add that Truth is stranger than Fiction. I do not know if the yarn I am anxious for you to read is true; but the Spanish purser of the fruit steamer El Carrero swore to me by the shrine of Santa Guadalupe that he had the facts from the U. S. vice-consul at La Paz -- a person who could not possibly have been cognizant of half of them.
As for the adage quoted above, I take pleasure in puncturing it by affirming that I read in a purely fictional story the other day the line: " ‘Be it so,' said the policeman. " Nothing so strange has yet cropped out in Truth.
What this Textopian page supports
The World and the Door is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1919 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: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Drama, Crime Fiction, Adventure
- Length: 5,727 words
- Structure: 1 section, 91 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The World and the Door 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 World and the Door?
- 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 Lotus And The Cockleburrs by O. Henry
- Three Paragraphs by O. Henry
- The Trimmed Lamp by O. Henry
- The Church With An Overshot Wheel by O. Henry
- One Dollars Worth by O. Henry
- Roads Of Destiny by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of morality, identity, and the human condition, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around the romantic relationship between the protagonists, highlighting love and emotional connection.
- Drama — The narrative features intense emotional conflicts and character development, typical of dramatic storytelling.
- Crime Fiction — The story involves a murder and the subsequent consequences, aligning it with crime fiction elements.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Realism · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Poverty · Wealth · Inequality · Morality Tale · Fable