At the Close of the Canvass by Ambrose Bierce
"AT THE CLOSE OF THE CANVASS" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1891. The story follows the narrator, a painter, as he reflects on his life and career at the end of his days. He recounts his experiences, including his time spent in the army during the Civil War, his struggles to make a name for himself as an artist, and his relationships with various people throughout his life. The narrator's introspective musings are interspersed with dark humor and irony, creating a sense of melancholy and contemplation. Throughout the story, Bierce explores themes of aging, mortality, and the fleeting nature of human existence.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1896 · Genre: Satire, Political Commentary, Poetry · 489 words
First lines
'Twas a Venerable Person, whom I met one Sunday morning, / All appareled as a prophet of a melancholy sect; / And in a jeremaid of objurgatory warning / He lifted up his "jodel" to the following effect:
O ye sanguinary statesmen, intermit your verbal tussles / O ye editors and orators, consent to hear my lay! / And a little while the digital and maxillary muscles / And attend to what a Venerable Person has to say.
What this Textopian page supports
At the Close of the Canvass is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1896 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: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Political Commentary, Poetry, Humor, Social Critique
- Length: 489 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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- Work identity for At the Close of the Canvass by Ambrose Bierce
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Genres
- Satire — The poem critiques political discourse and the absurdity of political rivalries, characteristic of satirical literature.
- Political Commentary — The work addresses themes of political behavior and societal norms during election season.
- Poetry — The text is structured as a poem, utilizing rhythm and meter to convey its message.
- Humor — The use of irony and exaggeration provides comedic elements throughout the narrative.
Tags
gothic fiction · mystery · thriller · horror · supernatural · psychological · suspense · literary fiction · american literature · 19th century literature · short stories · collection