Justice by Ambrose Bierce (1909)
JUSTICE by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the concept of justice and its various interpretations. The narrator describes a man who is wrongfully accused of a crime and sentenced to death, highlighting the flaws in the legal system. The story raises questions about the nature of justice and whether it can be achieved through human institutions or if it is an abstract concept that exists independently of human intervention.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1909 · Genre: Satire, Short Stories, Literary Fiction · 213 words
First lines
Jack Doe met Dick Roe, whose wife he loved, And said: "I will get the best of him." So pulling a knife from his boot, he shoved It up to the hilt in the breast of him.
Then he moved that weapon forth and back, Enlarging the hole he had made with it, Till the smoking liver fell out, and Jack Merrily, merrily played with it.
Then he reached within and he seized the slack Of the lesser bowel, and, traveling Hither and thither, looked idly back On that small intestine, raveling.
The wretched Richard, with many a grin Laid on with exceeding suavity, Curled up and died, and they ran John in And charged him with sins of gravity.
What this Textopian page supports
Justice is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Short Stories, Literary Fiction
- Length: 213 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Justice 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 Justice?
- 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
- The Man Of Principle by Ambrose Bierce
- The Disinterested Arbiter by Ambrose Bierce
- The Red Egg To Samuel Pozzi by Anatole France
- Humility by Ambrose Bierce
- The Choice by Barry Pain
- The Crime Of Sylvestre Bonnard by Anatole France
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is renowned for his satiric, critical style, often aimed at exposing social issues and highlighting human foibles.
- Short Stories — Most of Bierce's work including 'Justice', is compiled of brief, incisive narratives, making them part of the short story genre.
- Literary Fiction — Bierce's works including 'Justice', are known for their high literary merit and sophisticated narrative techniques.
Tags
Fiction · Short Story · Mystery · Detective Fiction · Crime · Victorian Literature · Classic Novel · Literary Fiction · Social Commentary · Political Thriller · Suspense · Whodunit