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The artistic function of fantastic assumption in O. Henry’s short stories

https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2025-11-194-202

Abstract

The article considers several short stories by O. Henry, where he uses a fantastic assumption and which stand out from the purely realistic work of the author. They reflected O. Henry’s creative situation: adventure and melodramatic plots lost their former appeal for him, and he tried to move away from the developed plot models that had turned into clichés. Using the example of the considered short stories, one can trace the general evolution of the short story genre in the work of O. Henry, to see how the vector of the author’s attitude is changing towards his heroes, to the short story plot, to the conflict typical for the genre.

About the Author

D. A. Rozevatov
Povolzhsky Institute of Management named after P.A. Stolypin – Presidential Academy
Russian Federation

Denis A. Rozevatov, Cand. of Sci. (Philology), associate professor

164-2, 410012, Moskovskaya St., Saratov, 410018



References

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Review

For citations:


Rozevatov D.A. The artistic function of fantastic assumption in O. Henry’s short stories. RSUH/RGGU Bulletin: “Literary Teory. Linguistics. Cultural Studies”, Series. 2025;(11(1)):194-202. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2025-11-194-202

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ISSN 2073-6355 (Print)