Father and Son by Ambrose Bierce

Name: Father and Son
Author: Ambrose Bierce

Father and Son is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1899. The story follows the relationship between a father and his young son, exploring themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human emotion. In the story, a father mourns the death of his son, who died at a young age. The father's grief is deep and profound, and he struggles to come to terms with his loss. As he reflects on his son's life, he realizes that he never truly understood his child, and that their relationship was complicated by the father's own flaws and shortcomings. Throughout the story, Bierce employs a distinctive narrative style, using simple yet powerful language to convey the depth of the father's emotions. The story is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking, leaving readers with a sense of empathy for the father's plight and a deeper understanding of the complexities of human relationships.

By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1874 · Genre: Short Stories, Historical Fiction, Drama · 89 words

First lines

"My boy," said an aged Father to his fiery and disobedient Son, "a hot temper is the soil of remorse. Promise me that when next you are angry you will count one hundred before you move or speak."

No sooner had the Son promised than he received a stinging blow from the paternal walking-stick, and by the time he had counted to seventy-five had the unhappiness to see the old man jump into a waiting cab and whirl away.

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Father and Son is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1874 CE.

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Work type: Fable
Author: Ambrose Bierce
Date: 1874 CE
Language: English
Genres: Short Stories, Historical Fiction, Drama, Realism
Length: 89 words
Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs

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Genres

Short Stories — Ambrose Bierce was a master of the short story form, and 'Father and Son' is a succinct narrative less than that of a typical novel or novella.
Historical Fiction — The story is set against the backdrop of a particular historical period and vividly portrays the influence of historical events on human lives.
Drama — The narrative explores intense emotional themes, conflicts between protagonists, and culminates in a dramatic resolution.
Realism — Bierce's writing is characterized by detailed descriptive prose and a focus on ordinary characters in everyday situations, embodying the main traits of the Realism genre.