Four Candidates for Senator
Candidate A: "The Mysterious Stranger" by Mark Twain - This novella follows a young man who, after witnessing a miraculous event, becomes convinced that he has been chosen to save humanity from itself. As he sets out on his mission, he encounters various obstacles and challenges, ultimately discovering the true nature of his quest. Candidate B: "The Man Who Was Thursday" by G.K. Chesterton - In this fantastical tale, a man is arrested for being a member of a secret society called the "Lost Boys," who are believed to be plotting against the government. As he awaits trial, he discovers that the society is actually composed of various personas, each representing a different aspect of human nature. Candidate C: "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde - This classic novel tells the story of a young man who sells his soul to keep his youth and beauty forever, while his portrait ages and reflects the true state of his soul. As he becomes increasingly consumed by his vanity, he descends into a life of sin and depravity, with tragic consequences. Candidate D: "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - In this haunting short story, a woman is confined to a room by her husband, who believes she is suffering from nervous illness. As she becomes increasingly isolated and alone, she begins to question her own sanity and the true nature of her marriage.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1879 · Genre: Political Fiction, Drama, Satire · 325 words
First lines
To flatter your way to the goad of your hope, O plausible Mr. Perkins, You'll need ten tons of the softest soap And butter a thousand firkins.
The soap you could put to a better use In washing your hands of ambition Ere the butter's used for cooking your goose To a beautiful brown condition.
What this Textopian page supports
Four Candidates for Senator is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1879 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: 1879 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Political Fiction, Drama, Satire
- Length: 325 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Four Candidates for Senator 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 Four Candidates for Senator?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Political Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Politicians And The Plunder by Ambrose Bierce
- The City Of Political Distinction by Ambrose Bierce
- Two Politicians by Ambrose Bierce
- The American Sycophant by Ambrose Bierce
- Corrected News by Ambrose Bierce
- A Statesman by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Political Fiction — The book's title indicates the main theme revolves around political candidates vying for a senatorial position. Politics is a strong and clear aspect of this story.
- Drama — This book, given its political context, is likely to involve conflicts, tensions and resolutions, making it eligible to fall under the genre of Drama.
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce's works are often laced with satire. The political setting of this book provides an excellent backdrop for satirical commentary.
Tags
political satire · election campaign · candidates · senate race · American politics · humor · irony · fiction · short story · voting · democracy · government