A Coward by Ambrose Bierce (1899)
"A Coward" is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1893. The story follows the character of John, who is described as a cowardly man. After being accused of stealing a valuable watch from his friend, John becomes increasingly paranoid and isolated. As he tries to prove his innocence, he becomes more and more entrenched in his own fears and insecurities. The story explores themes of guilt, shame, and the consequences of cowardice.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Short Stories, Satire, War · 184 words
First lines
When Pickering, distressed by an "attack," Has the strange insolence to answer back He hides behind a name that is a lie, And out of shadow falters his reply.
God knows him, though -- identified alike By hardihood to rise and fear to strike, And fitly to rebuke his sins decrees, That, hide from others with what care he please, Night sha'n't be black enough nor earth so wide That from himself himself can ever hide! Hard fate indeed to feel at every breath His burden of identity till death! -- No moment's respite from the immortal load, To think himself a serpent or a toad, Or dream, with a divine, ecstatic glow, He's long been dead and canonized a crow!
What this Textopian page supports
A Coward is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Satire, War
- Length: 184 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Short Stories — The text is a brief work of prose narrative, consistent with the short story format.
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce's work often includes sharp wit and ironic humor aimed at criticizing human vices and follies, aligning it with the genre of satire.
- War — Bierce's work comments on and depicts scenes and experiences from war, categorizing it under the war genre.
Tags
thriller · psychological · suspense · mystery · horror · gothic · dark · violence · action · adventure · fiction · literature