An Interpretation by Ambrose Bierce
"The Devil's Dictionary" is a satirical and humorous collection of words and their definitions, written in a style that pokes fun at the absurdity of language and society. The book is composed of over 1,000 entries, each with its own unique definition, often with a twist or a clever play on words. Bierce's writing is witty and biting, and his definitions are both humorous and insightful, offering a commentary on the human condition and the nature of language itself. Some examples of definitions include: "Absurdity: A feature of the universe, in which things are inherently and forever unintelligible" and "Cynic: A blackguard whose fault-finding is exceeded only by his own self-discovery." The book is a classic of American literature and continues to be enjoyed and appreciated for its clever wordplay and biting social commentary.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Fiction, Satire, Historical fiction · 145 words
First lines
Now Lonergan appears upon the boards, And Truth and Error sheathe their lingual swords.
No more in wordy warfare to engage, The commentators bow before the stage, And bookworms, militant for ages past, Confess their equal foolishness at last, Reread their Shakspeare in the newer light And swear the meaning's obvious to sight.
For centuries the question has been hot: Was Hamlet crazy, or was Hamlet not? Now, Lonergan's illuminating art Reveals the truth of the disputed "part," And shows to all the critics of the earth That Hamlet was an idiot from birth!
What this Textopian page supports
An Interpretation is listed on Textopian as an essay 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: Essay
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Satire, Historical fiction, Drama, Paranormal
- Length: 145 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Interpretation 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 Interpretation?
- How does this essay by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Lifted Finger by Ambrose Bierce
- The Thoughtful Warden by Ambrose Bierce
- Uncalculating Zeal by Ambrose Bierce
- J F B by Ambrose Bierce
- Tidings Of Good by Ambrose Bierce
- A Dampened Ardor by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Fiction — Ambrose Bierce is known for his fictitious works and ability to express his ideas through storytelling, implying that his book 'AN INTERPRETATION' likely falls within the fiction genre.
- Satire — Bierce's writing often incorporates elements of satire and humor into his narratives, making this a possible genre.
- Historical fiction — Given Bierce's background and previous works, it is likely that he could be exploring historical events or settings in 'AN INTERPRETATION'.
- Drama — His works often explore complex relationships and human experiences, so 'AN INTERPRETATION' might explore dramatic themes as well.
Tags
gothic fiction · horror · supernatural · mystery · thriller · psychological · suspense · literary fiction · symbolism · allegory · fable · parable