Aspiration by Ambrose Bierce (1879)
"ASPIRATION" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1893. The story follows a man named John Horton, who has spent his entire life working towards his dream of becoming a successful businessman. However, as he finally achieves his goal, he realizes that his aspirations have left him unfulfilled and empty inside. He begins to question the true meaning of success and happiness, and whether they can be found in material wealth alone. Ultimately, Horton comes to understand that true fulfillment comes from within, and that it is up to each individual to find their own path to happiness.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1879 · Genre: Satire, Philosophical, Poetry · 95 words
First lines
No man can truthfully say that he would not like to / be President. -- "William C. Whitney."
Lo! the wild rabbit, happy in the pride / Of qualities to meaner beasts denied, / Surveys the ass with reverence and fear, / Adoring his superior length of ear, / And says: "No living creature, lean or fat, / But wishes in his heart to be like That!"
What this Textopian page supports
Aspiration is listed on Textopian as an essay by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1879 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: 1879 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Philosophical, Poetry, Political Commentary, Humor
- Length: 95 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Aspiration by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
- An Inflated Ambition by Ambrose Bierce
- The Saint And The Monk by Ambrose Bierce
- Disavowal by Ambrose Bierce
- Contentment by Ambrose Bierce
- Philosophers Three by Ambrose Bierce
- A Forfeited Right by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — The work critiques human ambition and societal aspirations through humor and irony.
- Philosophical — It explores deeper themes of desire, identity, and the nature of ambition.
- Poetry — The text employs poetic structure and language to convey its themes.
- Political Commentary — It reflects on the desire for power and the nature of leadership.
Tags
horror · gothic · supernatural · psychological · thriller · mystery · suspense · fiction · literary · american · classic · short-story