Whiskey did It by O. Henry (1904)
A philanthropist observes a scene at the Market House square where a small policeman is apprehending a large negro man. The philanthropist, intrigued by the man's predicament, inquires about the cause of his arrest. The negro attributes his misfortune to whisky, claiming that the policeman, under the influence, was emboldened to arrest him despite his previous immunity from law enforcement. The negro recounts his history of evading arrest, emphasizing that the officer's drunken state led to his capture. The philanthropist notes this case for future reference, aiming to use it as a cautionary tale for others struggling with alcohol. The policeman, dismissive of the negro's plight, continues to drag him away, asserting his authority. The narrative explores themes of social justice, the impact of alcohol on behavior, and the dynamics of power between law enforcement and marginalized individuals. The interaction highlights the absurdity of the situation, where the intoxicated officer's actions are driven by his own inebriation rather than any legitimate reason for arrest. The story critiques societal attitudes towards alcohol and its role in perpetuating cycles of poverty and criminality.
By O. Henry · First published 1904 · Genre: Humor, Social Commentary, Short Story · 432 words
First lines
A solemn philanthropist was standing at a corner of the Market House square yesterday making a calculation in his head as to how long it would take a man to save enough beer money to build Solomon's temple. While he was musing, a small, slender policeman with a fiery eye came along, dragging by the wrist a big negro man about twice as large as himself.
The policeman stopped for a moment on the steps to rest, and the philanthropist, with a pitying glance, said to the negro:
What this Textopian page supports
Whiskey did It is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1904 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: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Social Commentary, Short Story, Fiction, Satire
- Length: 432 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Whiskey did It by O. Henry
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Whiskey did It?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Humor — The story employs wit and irony to highlight the absurdity of the situation and the characters' interactions.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal issues such as alcoholism and the justice system through the lens of a humorous narrative.
- Short Story — The work is a brief narrative that encapsulates a complete story within a limited word count.
- Fiction — The narrative is a fictional account that explores themes and characters not based on real events.
Tags
Short Story · Comedy · Mystery · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Classic Short Story · Whimsical · Absurdity