Election Day by Ambrose Bierce
Election Day by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of politics, power, and corruption. The story takes place on election day in a small town where the mayoral race is heating up between two candidates, one of whom is a wealthy businessman and the other a reform-minded outsider. As the voters cast their ballots, tensions rise and allegations of fraud and corruption begin to surface. The story culminates in a dramatic and unexpected twist that challenges the reader's perceptions of justice and morality.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1872 · Genre: Satire, Political fiction, Short Stories · 343 words
First lines
Despots effete upon tottering thrones Unsteadily poised upon dead men's bones, Walk up! walk up! the circus is free, And this wonderful spectacle you shall see: Millions of voters who mostly are fools -- Demagogues' dupes and candidates' tools, Armies of uniformed mountebanks, And braying disciples of brainless cranks.
Many a week they've bellowed like beeves, Bitterly blackguarding, lying like thieves, Libeling freely the quick and the dead And painting the New Jerusalem red.
What this Textopian page supports
Election Day is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1872 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: 1872 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Political fiction, Short Stories
- Length: 343 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Election Day 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 Election Day?
- 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
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Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is well-known for his satirical writing style.
- Political fiction — The title suggests a connection to politics and political processes.
- Short Stories — Bierce is famous for his succinct and impactful short stories.
Tags
politics · government · elections · voting · democracy · power · corruption · greed · ambition · betrayal · mystery · thriller