Surprised by Ambrose Bierce (1893)
The book "The Devil's Dictionary" by Ambrose Bierce is a classic work of satire and wit, offering a humorous and insightful look at the English language and its various uses. The book is composed of a series of definitions for words and phrases, each one more clever and subversive than the last. Through his clever wordplay and biting humor, Bierce challenges the reader to think critically about the language we use and the way we communicate with each other. With its timeless themes and sharp wit, "The Devil's Dictionary" remains a beloved and influential work of literature to this day.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1893 · Genre: Short Stories, Horror, Satire · 284 words
First lines
"O son of mine age, these eyes lose their fire: Be eyes, I pray, to thy dying sire."
"O father, fear not, for mine eyes are bright -- I read through a millstone at dead of night."
"My son, O tell me, who are those men, Rushing like pigs to the feeding-pen?"
"Welcomers they of a statesman grand.
What this Textopian page supports
Surprised 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: Short Stories, Horror, Satire, War
- Length: 284 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Surprised by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Surprised?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Short Stories — Most of Ambrose Bierce's works, including 'Surprised', are comprised of short stories.
- Horror — Bierce's writing often includes gothic elements and gruesome, macabre themes, categorizing them within the horror genre.
- Satire — Bierce was known for his biting wit and cynical perspective, elements that are often reflected in his work, justifying the satire genre.
- War — Some of Bierce's stories, including 'Surprised', are influenced by his experiences in the Civil War, justifying the war genre.
Tags
mystery · thriller · suspense · fiction · literature · classic · gothic · horror · supernatural · psychological · mind-bending · twisty