Cain by Ambrose Bierce (1899)
"Cain" is a novella written by Ambrose Bierce in 1897. The story follows the character of Cain, who is driven to murder his brother Abel after a dispute over a woman they both love. The novella explores themes of jealousy, anger, and the consequences of one's actions. Throughout the story, Bierce uses symbolism and imagery to convey the dark and violent nature of Cain's deed, creating a haunting and unsettling atmosphere.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Satire, Religious Fiction, Historical Fiction · 259 words
First lines
Lord, shed thy light upon his desert path, And gild his branded brow, that no man spill His forfeit life to balk thy holy will That spares him for the ripening of wrath.
Already, lo! the red sign is descried, To trembling jurors visibly revealed: The prison doors obediently yield, The baffled hangman flings the cord aside.
Powell, the brother's blood that marks your trail -- Hark, how it cries against you from the ground, Like the far baying of the tireless hound.
Faith! to your ear it is no nightingale.
What this Textopian page supports
Cain 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: Satire, Religious Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Humor
- Length: 259 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Cain 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 Cain?
- 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
- The Sunset Gun by Ambrose Bierce
- The Wolves And The Dogs by Ambrose Bierce
- The Hen And The Vipers by Ambrose Bierce
- The Monk And The Hangmans Daughter by Ambrose Bierce
- The National Guardsman by Ambrose Bierce
- Down Among The Dead Men by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — This book showcases Bierce's biting wit and satirical style, exaggerating the events in the Biblical story of Cain and Abel to criticize and ridicule societal norms, religious dogmas, and human nature itself.
- Religious Fiction — The book is based on the Biblical story of Cain, making it a piece of religious fiction. It explores theological themes and offers interpretative retellings of religious narratives.
- Historical Fiction — The story, despite its satirical approach, takes elements from a significant historical period - the Biblical times, making it a work of historical fiction.
- Fantasy — The book contains numerous supernatural elements and diverges significantly from the original Biblical story, infusing it with Bierce's own imaginative scenarios, which align it with fantasy.
Tags
gothic · horror · fiction · supernatural · mystery · thriller · suspense · dark · violence · death · grief · loss