Business by Ambrose Bierce (1895)
The novel explores the intersection of business and personal relationships through a complex narrative structure. The story revolves around a group of characters connected to a large corporation, revealing the cutthroat nature of corporate culture. As the plot unfolds, themes of power dynamics, loyalty, and identity are examined. Characters' motivations and actions are driven by their desire for success and recognition within the company. The novel critiques the excesses of capitalism and the human cost of unchecked ambition. Through its characters' experiences, it highlights the tension between personal values and professional obligations in a high-stakes business environment.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1895 · Genre: Business, Non-fiction, Self-help · 255 words
First lines
Two villains of the highest rank Set out one night to rob a bank.
They found the building, looked it o'er, Each window noted, tried each door, Scanned carefully the lidded hole For minstrels to cascade the coal -- In short, examined five-and-twenty Good paths from poverty to plenty.
But all were sealed, they saw full soon, Against the minions of the moon. "Enough," said one: "I'm satisfied." The other, smiling fair and wide, Said: "I'm as highly pleased as you: No burglar ever can get through.
What this Textopian page supports
Business is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1895 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: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Business, Non-fiction, Self-help, Instructional, Economics
- Length: 255 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Business 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 Business?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Business first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Art Of Money Getting by P. T. Barnum
- El Papel De La Universidad En El Desarrollo Economico De Cuba by Ernesto Che Guevara
- Data Strategy And The Enterprise Data Executive by Peter Aiken
- The Expatriated Boss by Ambrose Bierce
- Bimetalism by Ambrose Bierce
- The Necessary Resources by Antonio Hope
Genres
- Business — As the title suggests, the book is fundamentally about business, likely discussing topics such as entrepreneurship, management, marketing, finance, and strategy.
- Non-fiction — Ambrose Bierce is known for writing non-fiction materials, and the nature of the topic implies a non-fictional approach to explain and inform.
- Self-help — If the book is aimed at helping individuals improve their business knowledge and skills, it can classify under the self-help genre.
- Instructional — If the book provides practical guidance or prescriptive advice on business-related topics, it fits under instructional.
Tags
business · commerce · economics · entrepreneurship · management · marketing · finance · accounting · human resources · organizational behavior · leadership · strategy