A Fool by Ambrose Bierce (1899)
"A Fool" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1899. The story follows the character of John H. Money, a man who has spent his entire life accumulating wealth and possessions, but finds himself empty and unfulfilled despite his success. After a series of misadventures, Money comes to realize that his pursuit of material wealth has brought him no happiness or fulfillment, and he sets out on a quest to find true meaning in his life. Along the way, he encounters various characters who challenge his beliefs and values, leading him to question everything he thought he knew about himself and the world around him. Ultimately, Money comes to understand that true happiness and fulfillment can only be found by letting go of his attachment to material possessions and embracing a simpler, more authentic way of living.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Satire, Short Stories, Fiction · 308 words
First lines
Says Anderson, Theosophist: "Among the many that exist In modern halls, Some lived in ancient Egypt's clime And in their childhood saw the prime Of Karnak's walls."
Ah, Anderson, if that is true 'T is my conviction, sir, that you Are one of those That once resided by the Nile, Peer to the sacred Crocodile, Heir to his woes.
What this Textopian page supports
A Fool 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: Satire, Short Stories, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Comedy
- Length: 308 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Fool 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 Fool?
- 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
- A Valuable Suggestion by Ambrose Bierce
- The Cynics Bequest by Ambrose Bierce
- A Forfeited Right by Ambrose Bierce
- Yorick by Ambrose Bierce
- The Faithful Cashier by Ambrose Bierce
- The Woful Tale Of Mr Peters by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce's 'A Fool' is known for its satirical tone. Bierce uses his wit to comment on society and human nature, a common theme in Satire.
- Short Stories — As is typical with Bierce's works, 'A Fool' is a short story. This form allows for a concentrated and concise exploration of its themes and characters.
- Fiction — The work being a product of Bierce's imagination, it falls under the broad category of Fiction.
- Literary Fiction — The sophisticated language, complex themes, and thought-provoking nature of 'A Fool' make it a work of Literary Fiction.
Tags
dark humor · satire · irony · gothic fiction · supernatural · mystery · thriller · psychological · literary · classic · american literature · short story