Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen
The story revolves around two men who are released from prison on the same day, Thanksgiving Day. One man has spent 14 years for murder and the other has been imprisoned for a year for theft. They meet by chance in a diner and strike up a conversation. The thief is grateful to be free again and the murderer is bitter about his long sentence.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Humor · 2,251 words
First lines
There is one day that is ours. There is one day when all we Americans who are not self-made go back to the old home to eat saleratus biscuits and marvel how much nearer to the porch the old pump looks than it used to. Bless the day. President Roosevelt gives it to us. We hear some talk of the Puritans, but don't just remember who they were. Bet we can lick 'em, anyhow, if they try to land again. Plymouth Rocks? Well, that sounds more familiar. Lots of us have had to come down to hens since the Turkey Trust got its work in. But somebody in Washington is leaking out advance information to 'em about these Thanksgiving proclamations.
What this Textopian page supports
Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1911 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: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Humor, Short Story, Drama
- Length: 2,251 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen 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 Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen?
- 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
- An Adjustment Of Nature by O. Henry
- Grounds For Uneasiness by O. Henry
- Compliments Of The Season by O. Henry
- The Girl And The Habit by O. Henry
- The Pride Of The Cities by O. Henry
- By Easy Stages by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of tradition, social class, and human connection through character-driven narratives.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal norms and the disparity between social classes, particularly during a culturally significant holiday.
- Humor — The writing employs wit and irony to highlight the absurdities of the characters' situations and societal expectations.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and focused, typical of the short story format, delivering a complete arc in a limited space.
Tags
Short Story · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Greed · Deception · Moral Lesson · Irony · Twist Ending · American Literature · Early 20th Century