Rejected by Ambrose Bierce (1893)
The protagonist is a young woman who returns to her hometown after being away for several years. She reconnects with an old flame and rekindles their romance, but soon realizes that he is still emotionally unavailable. As she tries to navigate this complicated relationship, she also confronts the societal pressures and expectations placed upon her as a woman in a small town. The story explores themes of love, identity, and the constraints of social norms. The protagonist's journey is marked by moments of introspection, self-discovery, and ultimately, rejection.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1893 · Genre: Satire, Short Stories, Humor · 106 words
First lines
When Dr. Charles O'Donnell died They sank a box with him inside.
The plate with his initials three Was simply graven -- "C.O.D."
That night two demons of the Pit Adown the coal-hole shunted it.
Ten million million leagues it fell, Alighting at the gate of Hell.
What this Textopian page supports
Rejected is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1893 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: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Short Stories, Humor, American Literature
- Length: 106 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Rejected 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 Rejected?
- 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 Discontented Malefactor by Ambrose Bierce
- Mad by Ambrose Bierce
- The Self Made Monkey by Ambrose Bierce
- Oil Of Dog by Ambrose Bierce
- The Yearly Lie by Ambrose Bierce
- For Mayor by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is known for his biting wit, and 'Rejected' is a satiric piece mocking societal norms and expectations.
- Short Stories — The piece is not of a length associated with traditional novels and novellas, categorising it in the realm of short narratives.
- Humor — 'Rejected' draws upon the absurd and the ironic to evoke laughter, aligning it well with comedic literature.
- American Literature — Ambrose Bierce was an American author, his narrative style and themes reflective of the literary trends and cultural perspectives of his homeland during his time.
Tags
dark humor · satire · irony · cynicism · absurdity · futility · nihilism · existentialism · philosophy · social commentary · political satire · gothic fiction