An Average by Ambrose Bierce (1870)
"The Devil's Dictionary" is a collection of satirical and humorous definitions for various words and phrases, written in the style of a dictionary. The book was first published in 1881 and has since become a classic of American literature. Each definition is accompanied by a witty and often sarcastic explanation, poking fun at common idioms, political terms, and social conventions of the time. Bierce's definitions are both clever and biting, offering a satirical commentary on the language and culture of his era.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1870 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Humor · 82 words
First lines
I ne'er could be entirely fond / Of any maiden who's a blonde, / And no brunette that e'er I saw / Had charms my heart's whole / warmth to draw.
Yet sure no girl was ever made / Just half of light and half of shade.
And so, this happy mean to get, / I love a blonde and a brunette.
What this Textopian page supports
An Average is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1870 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: 1870 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Humor, Lyric, Satire
- Length: 82 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
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- Work identity for An Average by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes explore love and attraction, characteristic of romantic literature.
- Humor — The playful tone and light-hearted subject matter suggest a humorous approach to romantic preferences.
- Lyric — The personal expression of feelings and emotions aligns with the lyric genre.
Tags
horror · fiction · short story · gothic · supernatural · mystery · thriller · suspense · dark humor · irony · symbolism · allegory