The Dog and His Reflection
The Dog and His Reflection, written by Ambrose Bierce, is a short story that explores the theme of identity and self-awareness. The narrative follows a dog who becomes fascinated with his own reflection in a mirror and begins to question his own existence. As he gazes into the mirror, he becomes increasingly obsessed with his reflection, leading him to wonder if he is truly alive or just a mere image. The story raises questions about the nature of reality and the relationship between the physical world and the world of appearances. Bierce's use of irony and satire adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the absurdity of the dog's obsession with his reflection. Through this tale, Bierce challenges readers to consider their own understanding of reality and the role that perception plays in shaping our experiences.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1890 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Fiction · 96 words
First lines
A State Official carrying off the Dome of the Capitol met the Ghost of his predecessor, who had come out of his political grave to warn him that
God saw him. As the place of meeting was lonely and the time midnight, the State Official set down the Dome of the Capitol, and commanded the supposed traveller to throw up his hands. The Ghost replied that he had not eaten them, and while he was explaining the situation another State
Official silently added the dome to his own collection.
What this Textopian page supports
The Dog and His Reflection is listed on Textopian as a fable 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: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Fiction, Animal Stories
- Length: 96 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Dog and His Reflection 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 The Dog and His Reflection?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Lion And The Bull by Ambrose Bierce
- Philosopher Bimm by Ambrose Bierce
- The Hen by Lord Dunsany
- The Horned Owl by Basil Hall Chamberlain
- One Of Aesops Fables by James Baldwin
- The Storks by Hans Christian Andersen
Genres
- Fable — The story is a well-known Aesopian fable and conveys a moral lesson, which is a primary characteristic of the fable genre.
- Children's Literature — The book tends to be simple and illustrative, often used for teaching children moral and ethical lessons.
- Fiction — As an Aesopian fable, the story involves talking animals, which is a fictional element.
- Animal Stories — The primary character of the story is a dog, which categorizes the tale as an animal story.
Tags
Fantasy · Mirror · Reflection · Dog · Psychological · Thought-provoking · Satire · Irony · Literary Fiction · Short Story · Classic · Vintage