Slickens by Ambrose Bierce (1911)
"Slickens" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1893. The story follows the journey of a man named John Harkaway, who is on a mission to find his missing brother. Along the way, he encounters various characters and situations that challenge his beliefs and values. As he navigates through the wilderness, Harkaway begins to question his own identity and purpose in life. The story is known for its vivid descriptions of nature and its exploration of themes such as isolation, identity, and the human condition.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1911 · Genre: Satire, Short Story, Humor · 1,610 words
First lines
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
HAYSEED "a Granger" NOZZLE "a Miner" RINGDIVVY "a Statesman" FEEGOBBLE "a Lawyer" JUNKET "a Committee"
What this Textopian page supports
Slickens is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1911 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: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Short Story, Humor, Historical
- Length: 1,610 words
- Structure: 1 section, 82 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Slickens 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 Slickens?
- 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
- A Spade by Ambrose Bierce
- A Resumed Identity by Ambrose Bierce
- Something In The Papers by Ambrose Bierce
- The Penitent Thief by Ambrose Bierce
- The Debaters by Ambrose Bierce
- Discretion by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is known for his satirical style and dark, cynical themes. In 'Slickens', he satirizes certain characteristics of society.
- Short Story — Given the length of the book and the fast-paced plot, 'Slickens' qualifies as a short story.
- Humor — Though Bierce's humor is often dark and cynical, it still qualifies as humor, as he often makes light of serious topics.
- Historical — Bierce's stories often reference historical events or social mores of the time, giving them relevance in the historical genre.
Tags
mystery · thriller · detective · crime · fiction · literature · classic · american · gothic · horror · supernatural · suspense