A Call to Quit by Ambrose Bierce
"A Call to Quit" is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1893. The story follows a man named John Smith, who has grown tired of his mundane life and decides to quit his job and embark on a journey of self-discovery. As he travels through the countryside, he encounters various people and experiences that challenge his beliefs and values, leading him to question whether he has truly found what he is looking for. Ultimately, Smith realizes that true happiness and fulfillment can only be achieved by letting go of his attachment to material possessions and social expectations, and embracing a simpler, more authentic way of living.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1891 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Psychological fiction · 210 words
First lines
Seeing that his audiences were becoming smaller every Sunday, a Minister of the Gospel broke off in the midst of a sermon, descended the pulpit stairs, and walked on his hands down the central aisle of the church. He then remounted his feet, ascended to the pulpit, and resumed his discourse, making no allusion to the incident.
"Now," said he to himself, as he went home, "I shall have, henceforth, a large attendance and no snoring."
What this Textopian page supports
A Call to Quit is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Psychological fiction
- Length: 210 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Call to Quit by Ambrose Bierce
- 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 A Call to Quit?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Mr Sheets by Ambrose Bierce
- The Returned Californian by Ambrose Bierce
- A Bulletin by Ambrose Bierce
- An Inscription by Ambrose Bierce
- A Ship And A Man by Ambrose Bierce
- The Old Man And The Pupil by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Literary Fiction — Considering Ambrose Bierce's writing style and the thematic undertones of struggle and personal liberation often portrayed in his works.
- Drama — The title suggests significant conflicts or struggles, a staple of drama works.
- Psychological fiction — Bierce's work often delves into the psyche and internal states of his characters, indicating a psychological fiction genre.
Tags
horror · gothic · supernatural · thriller · mystery · fiction · short story · american literature · classic · literary fiction · psychological horror · suspense