An Enemy to Law and Order
"AN ENEMY TO LAW AND ORDER" is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, published in 1898. The story follows a man named John Horton, who is falsely accused of murder and must navigate the corrupt legal system to prove his innocence. Along the way, he uncovers a web of deceit and conspiracy that threatens to destroy not only his own life, but also the fabric of society itself. With its themes of injustice, betrayal, and redemption, "AN ENEMY TO LAW AND ORDER" is a gripping and thought-provoking tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Satire, Short Stories, Historical Fiction · 46 words
First lines
A is defrauded of his land by B, Who's driven from the premises by C.
D buys the place with coin of plundered E. "That A's an Anarchist!" says F to G.
What this Textopian page supports
An Enemy to Law and Order is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1898 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: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Short Stories, Historical Fiction, War Literature, Horror
- Length: 46 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Enemy to Law and Order 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 An Enemy to Law and Order?
- 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
- The Viduate Dame by Ambrose Bierce
- The Prerogative Of Might by Ambrose Bierce
- The Bosss Choice by Ambrose Bierce
- To An Insolent Attorney by Ambrose Bierce
- The Tried Assassin by Ambrose Bierce
- Three Kinds Of A Rogue by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is renowned for his biting satire and irony, an element prominently seen in his book.
- Short Stories — Bierce is known for his short stories. This specific work also encapsulates this format.
- Historical Fiction — The book, set in a specific past time period, incorporates the elements of historical fiction.
- War Literature — Bierce’s works typically reflect his experience in the Civil War and this book also has undertones of such.
Tags
thriller · mystery · detective · crime · suspense · violence · law · order · justice · corruption · greed · power