A Hasty Settlement by Ambrose Bierce
A Hasty Settlement by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that revolves around the theme of greed and the consequences of one's actions. The narrative follows the character of Silas Ticknor, who inherits a large sum of money from his recently deceased uncle. However, Silas's joy is short-lived as he soon discovers that the inheritance comes with a catch: he must use the money to purchase a plot of land that has been hastily settled upon by a group of squatters. Silas is faced with an ethical dilemma as he struggles to decide whether to follow his moral principles or to give in to his greed and accept the inheritance. The story builds tension as Silas grapples with this decision, ultimately leading to a surprising and thought-provoking conclusion. Through Bierce's masterful use of language and character development, A Hasty Settlement explores the complexities of human nature and the consequences of one's choices.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1879 · Genre: Short stories, Satire, Humor · 272 words
First lines
"Your Honour," said an Attorney, rising, "what is the present status of this case -- as far as it has gone?"
"I have given a judgment for the residuary legatee under the will," said the Court, "put the costs upon the contestants, decided all questions relating to fees and other charges; and, in short, the estate in litigation has been settled, with all controversies, disputes, misunderstandings, and differences of opinion thereunto appertaining."
"Ah, yes, I see," said the Attorney, thoughtfully, "we are making progress -- we are getting on famously."
"Progress?" echoed the Judge -- "progress. Why, sir, the matter is concluded!"
What this Textopian page supports
A Hasty Settlement is listed on Textopian as a fable 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: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1879 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short stories, Satire, Humor, Historical fiction, Horror
- Length: 272 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Hasty Settlement 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 Hasty Settlement?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short stories first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Growler by Ambrose Bierce
- The Desperate Object by Ambrose Bierce
- A Harmless Visitor by Ambrose Bierce
- The Night Of Election by Ambrose Bierce
- Art by Ambrose Bierce
- The Two Cavees by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short stories — Ambrose Bierce is a renowned author of short stories, particularly those with a twist ending.
- Satire — Bierce's works, including 'A Hasty Settlement', often incorporate satire and cynicism to critique society and human nature.
- Humor — The author's distinctive, wry humor is prevalent in this work, making it apt to categorize 'A Hasty Settlement' under the Humor genre.
- Historical fiction — Ambrose Bierce frequently sets his works in historical periods, reflected in 'A Hasty Settlement'.
Tags
gothic · horror · mystery · thriller · supernatural · fiction · short story · american literature · classic · literary fiction · psychological horror · suspense