The Blotted Escutcheon and the Soiled Ermine

Name: The Blotted Escutcheon and the Soiled Ermine
Author: Ambrose Bierce

The Blotted Escutcheon and the Soiled Ermine by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores themes of identity, class, and social status. The narrator introduces the two main characters, Mr. Blunted and Mr. Soiled, who are both members of high society but have very different attitudes towards their social standing. Mr. Blunted sees himself as a man of great importance and prestige, while Mr. Soiled is more humble and unassuming. When they meet at a party, they engage in a witty and satirical conversation that reveals the absurdity of their social hierarchy. Throughout the story, Bierce uses humor and irony to critique the excesses of high society and the arbitrary nature of social status. The characters' names are also significant, as they represent the contrast between the blunted ambition of Mr. Blunted and the soiled reputation of Mr. Soiled. Overall, The Blotted Escutcheon and the Soiled Ermine is a clever and thought-provoking tale that challenges readers to question their assumptions about social status and identity.

By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1893 · Genre: Satire, Short Story, Historical Fiction · 173 words

First lines

A Blotted Escutcheon, rising to a question of privilege, said:

"Mr. Speaker, I wish to hurl back an allegation and explain that the spots upon me are the natural markings of one who is a direct descendant of the sun and a spotted fawn. They come of no accident of character, but inhere in the divine order and constitution of things."

When the Blotted Escutcheon had resumed his seat a Soiled Ermine rose and said:

What this Textopian page supports

The Blotted Escutcheon and the Soiled Ermine is listed on Textopian as a fable 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: Fable
Author: Ambrose Bierce
Date: 1893 CE
Language: English
Genres: Satire, Short Story, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Length: 173 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Blotted Escutcheon and the Soiled Ermine 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 The Blotted Escutcheon and the Soiled Ermine?
How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Satire first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Satire — Ambrose Bierce is known for his biting wit and satirical style, and The Blotted Escutcheon and the Soiled Ermine is no exception. The narrative employs humor and irony to critique societal norms and standards.
Short Story — Although Ambrose Bierce has written longer works, he is perhaps best known for his short stories. The Blotted Escutcheon and the Soiled Ermine fits this category due to its brevity and focus on a singular, self-contained narrative.
Historical Fiction — As with many of Bierce's works, The Blotted Escutcheon and the Soiled Ermine employs a historical setting to explore its themes. As such, it fits comfortably within the genre of historical fiction, even accounting for Bierce's satirical approach.
Mystery — Elements of mystery and intrigue are often present in Bierce's works, and The Blotted Escutcheon and the Soiled Ermine maintains this trend. Despite being a short story, it incorporates elements of suspense and unresolved questions that align with aspects of the mystery genre.