Magnanimity by Ambrose Bierce (1891)
MAGNANIMITY by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of pride, arrogance, and the consequences of one's actions. The protagonist, a man named Magnanimous, is known for his excessive pride and arrogance, which leads him to make rash decisions and treat others poorly. The story begins with Magnanimous encountering a stranger who has been traveling on the same road as him. Magnanimous, feeling superior to the stranger, refuses to acknowledge him or offer any form of hospitality. However, as the two continue their journey together, Magnanimous's pride and arrogance begin to take a toll on his relationships with those around him. Throughout the story, Bierce uses irony and satire to highlight the negative consequences of Magnanimous's behavior. Despite his grandiose claims of superiority, Magnanimous is shown to be insecure and unhappy, unable to connect with others or find true fulfillment in life. In the end, Magnanimous learns a valuable lesson about humility and the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. However, it is too late, and his pride and arrogance have already caused irreparable damage to his relationships and reputation. Overall, MAGNANIMITY is a thought-provoking story that cautions against the dangers of excessive pride and arrogance, highlighting the importance of humility and empathy in building meaningful connections with others.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1891 · Genre: Satire, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction · 44 words
First lines
"To the will of the people we loyally bow!" That's the minority shibboleth now.
O noble antagonists, answer me flat -- What would you do if you didn't do that?
What this Textopian page supports
Magnanimity is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1891 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: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Short Stories
- Length: 44 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Magnanimity by Ambrose Bierce
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Magnanimity?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Satire — The author, Ambrose Bierce, is known for his biting wit and satirical writing style.
- Literary Fiction — The elevated language and complex characters align with the literary fiction genre.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and events in the book correspond to historical periods, placing it in the historical fiction genre.
- Short Stories — The book contains compact and succinct storytelling, fitting the short stories genre.
Tags
gothic · horror · supernatural · fantasy · mystery · thriller · suspense · literary fiction · classic · american literature · short stories · dark humor