An Offer of Marriage
The book "AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE" by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of love, marriage, and societal expectations. The narrator receives an offer of marriage from a woman he has never met, but feels compelled to accept due to societal pressure. However, as he begins to get to know her, he realizes that she is not the person he thought she was. The story raises questions about the nature of love and marriage, and the societal expectations that shape our choices.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1893 · Genre: Satire, Short Stories, Fiction · 657 words
First lines
Once I "dipt into the future far as human eye could see," And saw -- it was not Sandow, nor John Sullivan, but she -- The Emancipated Woman, who was weeping as she ran Here and there for the discovery of Expurgated Man.
But the sun of Evolution ever rose and ever set, And that tardiest of mortals hadn't evoluted yet.
What this Textopian page supports
An Offer of Marriage 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: Satire, Short Stories, Fiction
- Length: 657 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Offer of Marriage 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 Offer of Marriage?
- 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
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- The Citizen And The Snakes by Ambrose Bierce
- To Day by Ambrose Bierce
- The Dog And The Physician by Ambrose Bierce
- The Yearly Lie by Ambrose Bierce
- Art by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is well known for his satirical style, commenting on the social customs and moral hypocrisy surrounding marriage.
- Short Stories — Bierce is renowned for his skill in the short story form and this narrative falls within that category.
- Fiction — The work is a fictitious creation rather than a factual account or a non-fictional piece.
Tags
romance · fiction · short story · marriage · relationships · family · social commentary · humor · satire · gothic · supernatural · mystery