"A Literary Hangman" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1890. The story follows a man named John, who is a literary critic and hangman. John is tasked with hanging a man named Smith, who has been convicted of murder. As John prepares to carry out the execution, he becomes increasingly obsessed with the idea that Smith may be innocent. Despite his reservations, John proceeds with the hanging, only to discover afterward that Smith was indeed innocent. The story explores themes of justice, morality, and the power of literature to shape our understanding of the world.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Satire, Short Stories, Humor