Nimrod by Ambrose Bierce (1903)
NIMROD is a novella written by Ambrose Bierce in 1890. The story follows the character of Nimrod, a man who has been living in isolation for many years after a tragic event in his past. One day, he encounters a young woman named Fanny who is lost in the woods, and he takes her in and nurses her back to health. As they spend more time together, Nimrod begins to open up to Fanny about his past and his feelings of guilt and remorse. However, their idyllic life is disrupted when a group of outlaws arrive at the cabin, seeking refuge from the law. Nimrod must confront his own demons and make a difficult decision to protect Fanny and himself. Tracking: 📚 Reading: 📖 Comments: 💬 Reactions: 😍
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1903 · Genre: Satire, Fiction, Historical Fiction · 118 words
First lines
There were brave men, some one has truly said, Before Atrides (those were mostly dead Behind him) and ere you could e'er occur Actaeon lived, Nimrod and Bahram-Gur.
In strength and speed and daring they excelled: The stag they overtook, the lion felled.
Ah, yes, great hunters flourished before you, And -- for Munchausen lived -- great talkers too.
There'll be no more; there's much to kill, but -- well, "You" have left nothing in the world to tell!
What this Textopian page supports
Nimrod is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1903 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: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mythological Fiction
- Length: 118 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Nimrod 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 Nimrod?
- 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 Dream Doctor by Arthur B. Reeve
- The Christian Serpent by Ambrose Bierce
- The Touch Of Pan by Algernon Blackwood
- A Nine Days Wonder by B. M. Croker
- My Monument by Ambrose Bierce
- The Piping Fisherman by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is known for his biting wit and satirical writing style. His narrative in 'Nimrod' includes absurd and ironic situations and inversions of the norms to criticize and mock societal conventions.
- Fiction — As a narrative about the life of a mythical King, 'Nimrod' falls into the broader category of fictional literature.
- Historical Fiction — Elements of history are woven into the narrative, with a focus on a specific historical figure and period. However, the facts are not strict and often embellished or re-interpreted.
- Mythological Fiction — The figure of 'Nimrod' has been interpreted and re-introduced in various mythologies across cultures. Bierce's interpretation presents another mythological aspect to him.
Tags
gothic · horror · supernatural · fantasy · mythology · folklore · legend · fable · allegory · symbolism · psychological · thriller