Back Bart by Ambrose Bierce (1899)
"BLACK BART, Po8" is a poem written by Ambrose Bierce in 1897. The poem tells the story of a man named Black Bart, who is known for his brutal and violent behavior. The poem describes Bart's actions in vivid detail, including his attacks on innocent civilians and his disregard for human life. Despite his heinous crimes, Bart seems to take pleasure in his actions, reveling in the chaos and destruction he causes. The poem ends with Bart being killed in a shootout with law enforcement, but not before he has caused immense harm to those around him. Overall, "BLACK BART, Po8" is a dark and unsettling work that explores the themes of violence, cruelty, and the consequences of one's actions.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Western, Adventure · 490 words
First lines
Welcome, good friend; as you have served your term, And found the joy of crime to be a fiction, I hope you'll hold your present faith, stand firm And not again be open to conviction.
Your sins, though scarlet once, are now as wool: You've made atonement for all past offenses, And conjugated -- 'twas an awful pull! -- The verb "to pay" in all its moods and tenses.
What this Textopian page supports
Back Bart is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1899 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: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Western, Adventure, Biography, Crime
- Length: 490 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Back Bart 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 Back Bart?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- From The Minutes by Ambrose Bierce
- The Other Lodgers by Ambrose Bierce
- Thersites by Ambrose Bierce
- The Mackaiad by Ambrose Bierce
- From Top To Bottom by Ambrose Bierce
- Aspirants Three by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is loosely based on the notorious stagecoach robber Black Bart, providing a historical backdrop for its narrative.
- Western — The book's setting and characters are typical of the Western genre; it depicts the rugged American frontier and the chaos of an emerging society.
- Adventure — The storyline follows the thrilling escapades of its central character, portraying a variety of dangerous and adrenaline-pumping situations.
- Biography — Although fictionalised, the book still tells the life story of a real individual, fitting within the realm of biographical storytelling.
Tags
ghost story · supernatural · horror · mystery · thriller · fiction · short stories · classic literature · American literature · 19th century literature · dark humor · irony