Crime and Its Correctives
"Crime and Its Correctives" is a collection of short stories and essays by Ambrose Bierce that explore the themes of crime, punishment, and rehabilitation. The book includes tales of murder, theft, and other forms of criminal behavior, as well as reflections on the nature of justice and the role of society in shaping individual behavior. Through his sharp observations and clever plot twists, Bierce raises questions about the effectiveness of punishment and the possibility of redemption for those who have committed crimes.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1890 · Genre: Crime, Social Issues, Philosophy · 3 chapters · 3,822 words
First lines
SOCIOLOGISTS have been debating the theory that the impulse to commit crime is a disease, and the ayes appear to have it -- not the impulse but the decision. It is gratifying and profitable to have the point settled: we now know "where we are at," and can take our course accordingly. It has for a number of years been known to all but a few back-number physicians -- survivals from an exhausted _regime_ -- that all disease is caused by bacilli, which worm themselves into the organs that secrete health and enjoin them from the performance of that rite. The medical conservatives mentioned attempt to whittle away the value and significances of this theory by affirming its inadequacy to account for such disorders as broken heads, sunstroke, superfluous toes, home-sickness, burns and strangulation on the gallows; but against the testimony of so eminent bacteriologists as Drs.
What this Textopian page supports
Crime and Its Correctives is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Crime, Social Issues, Philosophy, Psychology, Non-fiction
- Length: 3,822 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 27 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Crime and Its Correctives 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 Crime and Its Correctives?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Crime first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Social Call by Ambrose Bierce
- The Wise And Good by Ambrose Bierce
- Present At A Hanging by Ambrose Bierce
- The Judge And The Plaintiff by Ambrose Bierce
- The Life Savers by Ambrose Bierce
- The Judge And The Rash Act by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Crime — The book's title directly implicates that it revolves around the theme of crime, making it the most relevant genre.
- Social Issues — The 'correctives' of crime likely touch on broader societal structures and issues, positioning this book within the Social Issues genre.
- Philosophy — Discussing 'correctives' to crime implies a philosophical exploration of right, wrong, and the factors that motivate and rectify criminal activity.
- Psychology — Analyzing the motivations and corrections of crime may involve delving into the psychological aspects of criminals or criminal behavior.
Tags
mystery · thriller · crime fiction · detective story · noir · suspense · violence · justice · morality · ethics · society · culture