In Defense by Ambrose Bierce (1898)
IN DEFENSE is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1893. The story follows an unnamed narrator who is on trial for a crime he did not commit. As the trial progresses, the narrator's defense attorney presents a compelling case, highlighting inconsistencies in the prosecution's evidence and questioning the credibility of key witnesses. Despite the narrator's protests of innocence, the jury delivers a guilty verdict, and he is sentenced to death. The story ends with the narrator reflecting on the injustices of the legal system and the fleeting nature of life.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Short Stories, Fiction, War · 467 words
First lines
You may say, if you please, Johnny Bull, that our girls Are crazy to marry your dukes and your earls; But I've heard that the maids of your own little isle Greet bachelor lords with a favoring smile.
Nay, titles, 'tis said in defense of our fair, Are popular here because popular there; And for them our ladies persistently go Because 'tis exceedingly English, you know.
What this Textopian page supports
In Defense 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: Short Stories, Fiction, War, Historical Fiction, Horror
- Length: 467 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for In Defense by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Unarmed by Ambrose Bierce
- The Soldiers Song by Alan Monaghan
- Right In The Front Of The Army by Andrew Barton Paterson
- The New Army In Training by Rudyard Kipling
- The Guards Came Through by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Drums Of The Fore And Aft by Rudyard Kipling
Genres
- Short Stories — It's a collection of several short stories written by Ambrose Bierce.
- Fiction — The book contains made-up stories, making it a work of fiction.
- War — Many of Ambrose Bierce's stories, including those in this collection, center around war and its effects.
- Historical Fiction — Although fictional, the stories often reference historical events, particularly related to the American Civil War.
Tags
war · violence · defense · military · strategy · conflict · battle · soldiers · patriotism · loyalty · duty · heroism