Tobin's Palm by O. Henry (1917)
The story revolves around a wealthy man who has been given a rare and valuable palm tree by a friend. The man's wife becomes obsessed with the tree and its supposed healing properties, but it ultimately proves to be worthless. Meanwhile, the man's friend is struggling financially and the man refuses to help him, despite his own wealth.
By O. Henry · First published 1917 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary · 3,539 words
First lines
Tobin and me, the two of us, went down to Coney one day, for there was four dollars between us, and Tobin had need of distractions. For there was Katie Mahorner, his sweetheart, of County Sligo, lost since she started for America three months before with two hundred dollars, her own savings, and one hundred dollars from the sale of Tobin's inherited estate, a fine cottage and pig on the Bog Shannaugh. And since the letter that Tobin got saying that she had started to come to him not a bit of news had he heard or seen of Katie Mahorner. Tobin advertised in the papers, but nothing could be found of the colleen.
What this Textopian page supports
Tobin's Palm 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: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary, Short Story, Adventure
- Length: 3,539 words
- Structure: 1 section, 62 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Tobin's Palm 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
Similar titles
- The Green Door by O. Henry
- Knew What Was Needed by O. Henry
- What You Want by O. Henry
- The Friendly Call by O. Henry
- An Afternoon Miracle by O. Henry
- Had A Use For It by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of fate, superstition, and human relationships through nuanced character interactions and a reflective narrative style.
- Humor — The dialogue and situations are infused with wit and irony, showcasing the absurdity of Tobin's beliefs and the comedic elements of his misadventures.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques societal norms and the human condition, particularly through the lens of superstition and the pursuit of luck.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and structured as a short story, focusing on a single event and character development within a limited timeframe.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Palm Tree · Symbolism · Irony · Plot Twist · Moral Lesson · Fate vs Free Will · Tragic Hero · Greed · Deception · Loyalty