Consolation by Ambrose Bierce (1898)
CONSOLATION is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1893. The story follows an unnamed narrator who visits a friend's grave and reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the comfort that death can bring. The narrator describes the beauty of the gravesite and the peaceful atmosphere, finding solace in the thought that the dead are no longer subject to the troubles of the living. Bierce's signature dark humor is evident throughout the story, as the narrator finds irony in the idea that death can be a source of comfort. The story ends with the narrator leaving the gravesite, feeling both melancholy and grateful for the brief moment of peace he found among the tombstones.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Satire, Short Stories, Horror · 122 words
First lines
Little's the good to sit and grieve Because the serpent tempted Eve.
Better to wipe your eyes and take A club and go out and kill a snake.
What do you gain by cursing Nick For playing her such a scurvy trick? Better go out and some villain find Who serves the devil, and beat him blind.
But if you prefer, as I suspect, To philosophize, why, then, reflect: If the cunning rascal upon the limb Hadn't tempted her she'd have tempted him.
What this Textopian page supports
Consolation is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1898 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: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Short Stories, Horror, War Literature, Historical Fiction
- Length: 122 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Consolation 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 Consolation?
- 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 Death Of Halpin Frayser by Ambrose Bierce
- The Scurril Press by Ambrose Bierce
- Tidings Of Good by Ambrose Bierce
- The Legatee by Ambrose Bierce
- A Commuted Sentence by Ambrose Bierce
- Magnanimity by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce's work often contains satirical elements, offering social and political criticism through humor and irony.
- Short Stories — Much of Bierce's work consists of short stories, offering brief, concise narratives that deliver impactful messages.
- Horror — Bierce's writing frequently employs elements of the horror genre, utilizing suspense and dramatic tension to incite fear and unease.
- War Literature — Elements of war literature are present by providing commentary and reflection on the human experience in violent conflict, often a theme in Bierce's work.
Tags
gothic fiction · supernatural horror · mystery · thriller · psychological horror · literary fiction · classic literature · american literature · short stories · dark humor · irony · symbolism