Liberty by Ambrose Bierce (1920)
LIBERTY is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1898. The story follows an unnamed narrator who visits a small town in the Midwest and becomes fascinated with a statue of a woman representing Liberty. As he explores the town, he discovers that the statue has come to life and is now roaming the streets, freeing slaves and punishing oppressors. The narrator becomes increasingly obsessed with the statue and its mission, but ultimately realizes that true liberty can only be achieved through individual effort and personal responsibility.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1920 · Genre: Historical Fiction, War, Drama · 222 words
First lines
"Let there be Liberty!' God said, and, lo! The red skies all were luminous. The glow Struck first Columbia's kindling mountain peaks One hundred and eleven years ago!"
So sang a patriot whom once I saw Descending Bunker's holy hill. With awe I noted that he shone with sacred light, Like Moses with the tables of the Law.
One hundred and eleven years? O small And paltry period compared with all The tide of centuries that flowed and ebbed To etch Yosemite's divided wall!
Ah, Liberty, they sing you always young Whose harps are in your adoration strung (Each swears you are his countrywoman, too, And speak no language but his mother tongue).
What this Textopian page supports
Liberty is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1920 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: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, War, Drama
- Length: 222 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Liberty 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 Liberty?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- At The Eleventh Hour by Ambrose Bierce
- Codex Honoris by Ambrose Bierce
- The Returned Californian by Ambrose Bierce
- The Life Saver by Ambrose Bierce
- Physicians Two by Ambrose Bierce
- Ye Foe To Cathaye by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Historical Fiction — Bierce's 'LIBERTY' takes readers back to the era of the American Civil War, deploying historical figures and events to construct its narrative.
- War — The War between the States plays a central role in the book. Bierce, who served in the Union Army during the Civil War, portrays the experience of wartime.
- Drama — LIBERTY portrays the deep tensions and conflicts of its characters in an intense dramatic narrative.
Tags
horror · fiction · gothic · supernatural · political · social commentary · historical · thriller · mystery · suspense · psychological · literary fiction