The Division Superintendent
The Division Superintendent by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of bureaucracy and the dehumanizing effects of institutional hierarchy. The story follows the protagonist, a low-ranking official in a vast government department, as he navigates the complex and oppressive system he finds himself in. Through his experiences, Bierce critiques the excesses of bureaucratic power and the ways in which it can stifle individual creativity and autonomy. The story is known for its dark humor and satire, and has been interpreted as a commentary on the dangers of unchecked authority and the importance of individual freedom and agency.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1890 · Genre: Satire, Short Stories, Humor · 140 words
First lines
Baffled he stands upon the track -- The automatic switches clack.
Where'er he turns his solemn eyes The interlocking signals rise.
The trains, before his visage pale, Glide smoothly by, nor leave the rail.
No splinter-spitted victim he Hears uttering the note high C.
What this Textopian page supports
The Division Superintendent is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Short Stories, Humor, Literary Fiction
- Length: 140 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Division Superintendent 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 The Division Superintendent?
- 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
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- Prayer by Ambrose Bierce
- A Whipper In by Ambrose Bierce
- The Various Delegation by Ambrose Bierce
- An Invocation by Ambrose Bierce
- A Cold Greeting by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is known for his satirical writing style, and 'The Division Superintendent' reflects this in its humorous critique of corporative behaviors and practices
- Short Stories — 'The Division Superintendent' is part of a collection of short stories, which allows readers to perceive separate but interrelated plots
- Humor — The book leverages irony to add humor to the narrative, which Bierce uses to poke fun at industrial bureaucracies
- Literary Fiction — Like much of Bierce's works, 'The Division Superintendent' places a significant emphasis on character development and theme exploration, prominent features in literary fiction
Tags
horror · thriller · gothic · supernatural · mystery · suspense · fiction · literature · classic · american · 19th century · short story