A Dampened Ardor by Ambrose Bierce
"A Dampened Ardor" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1890. The story follows the character of John Horton, a man who has lost his passion for life after the death of his wife. Despite his efforts to move on and find new love, he finds himself unable to shake off his grief. As he navigates through various social events and encounters, he struggles to connect with others and find meaning in his life. The story explores themes of loss, grief, and the human struggle to overcome adversity.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1879 · Genre: Satire, Short Stories, Horror · 176 words
First lines
The Chinatown at Bakersfield Was blazing bright and high; The flames to water would not yield, Though torrents drenched the sky And drowned the ground for miles around -- The houses were so dry.
Then rose an aged preacher man Whom all did much admire, Who said: "To force on you my plan I truly don't aspire, But streams, it seems, might quench these beams If turned upon the fire."
The fireman said: "This hoary wight His folly dares to thrust On "us"! 'Twere well he felt our might -- Nay, he shall feel our must!" With jet of wet and small regret They laid that old man's dust.
What this Textopian page supports
A Dampened Ardor is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1879 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: 1879 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Short Stories, Horror, War, Fiction
- Length: 176 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Dampened Ardor by Ambrose Bierce
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Tidings Of Good by Ambrose Bierce
- To A Stray Dog by Ambrose Bierce
- Consolation by Ambrose Bierce
- In Memoriam by Ambrose Bierce
- A Commuted Sentence by Ambrose Bierce
- The Scurril Press by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Bierce was a well-known satirist, using wit and sarcasm to critique human nature and societal norms.
- Short Stories — Ambrose Bierce was primarily known for his concise yet impactful short stories.
- Horror — Bierce's tales often include elements of horror and the macabre, contributing to a sense of unease and tension.
- War — Drawing from his experiences in the Civil war, many of Bierce's works include themes of war and conflict.
Tags
gothic fiction · horror · supernatural · mystery · thriller · psychological · literary fiction · symbolism · allegory · social commentary · dark humor · satire