A Lifted Finger by Ambrose Bierce
"A Lifted Finger" is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1892. The story follows a man named John Horton, who after being wrongfully accused of theft, is sentenced to death. As he stands on the gallows, he is offered a chance to have his sentence commuted if he can lift a heavy weight with his finger. Despite the absurdity of the task, Horton manages to lift the weight, and his sentence is commuted. The story explores themes of justice, morality, and the human condition.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1893 · Genre: Short Stories, Satire, Horror · 728 words
First lines
[The "Chronicle" did a great public service in whipping and his fellow-rascals out of office. -- "M.H. de Young's Newspaper".]
What this Textopian page supports
A Lifted Finger is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1893 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: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Satire, Horror, War, Historical Fiction
- Length: 728 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Lifted Finger by Ambrose Bierce
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Lifted Finger?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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- To Nanine by Ambrose Bierce
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- Consolation by Ambrose Bierce
- Tidings Of Good by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short Stories — The book is a compilation of short stories, which characterizes its main genre.
- Satire — Bierce is known for his biting wit and satirical style, which is evident in this collection.
- Horror — Several of the stories in 'A Lifted Finger' feature horror and supernatural elements.
- War — Bierce's experiences in the Civil War are frequently reflected in his work, giving it elements of war literature.
Tags
gothic fiction · horror · supernatural · mystery · thriller · suspense · psychological · literary fiction · american literature · short stories · dark humor · irony