To him who Waits by O. Henry (1917)
The story revolves around a man who waits for his wife to return home from her job at a department store. He spends the day waiting and thinking about their life together. The narrative explores themes of love, marriage, and the monotony of daily routine.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Romance, Literary Fiction, Humor · 4,532 words
First lines
The Hermit of the Hudson was hustling about his cave with unusual animation.
What this Textopian page supports
To him who Waits is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Literary Fiction, Humor, Drama, Adventure
- Length: 4,532 words
- Structure: 1 section, 77 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To him who Waits 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 To him who Waits?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Romance — The central plot revolves around love, longing, and the complexities of relationships, particularly the hermit's past love and the new romantic interest.
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores deep themes of sacrifice, idealism, and the contrast between societal expectations and personal desires.
- Humor — The writing style incorporates wit and irony, particularly in the interactions between the hermit and Beatrix, highlighting the absurdities of their situations.
- Drama — The story contains dramatic elements, particularly in the emotional conflicts faced by the hermit and the revelations about his past.
Tags
Short Story · Romance · Tragedy · Love Triangle · Fate · Destiny · Mortality · Loss · Grief · Regret · Longing · Separation