Another Plan by Ambrose Bierce
"Another Plan" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1890. The story follows the protagonist, a man named Smith, who has lost his job and is struggling to find a new one. In an attempt to improve his fortunes, Smith comes up with a plan to start a business selling "imitation" bread, which he believes will be more popular than the real thing. However, things do not go as planned, and Smith's business fails miserably. The story explores themes of unemployment, failure, and the challenges of starting a new business.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1872 · Genre: Satire, Fiction, Fantasy · 215 words
First lines
Editor Owen, of San Jose, Commonly known as "our friend J.J." Weary of scribbling for daily bread, Weary of writing what nobody read, Slept one day at his desk and dreamed That an angel before him stood and beamed With compassionate eyes upon him there.
Editor Owen is not so fair In feature, expression, form or limb But glances like that are familiar to him; And so, to arrive by the shortest route At his visitor's will he said, simply: "Toot." "Editor Owen," the angel said, "Scribble no more for your daily bread.
Your intellect staggers and falls and bleeds, Weary of writing what nobody reads.
Eschew now the quill -- in the coming years Homilize man through his idle ears.
What this Textopian page supports
Another Plan is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1872 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: 1872 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Short story
- Length: 215 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Another Plan by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Another Plan?
- 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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Genres
- Satire — The book reflects Bierce's style which is highly characterized by a use of satire and parodying of various social, political, and literary conventions.
- Fiction — The book is a work of fiction that projects imaginary characters and scenarios.
- Fantasy — The book features elements of fantasy as it discusses an alternate plan that bears no substantive reality.
- Horror — The book contains macabre and eerie narratives, a common theme in Bierce's works, falling under the horror genre.
Tags
science fiction · fiction · short story · apocalyptic · dystopian · futuristic · technology · society · politics · government · power · corruption