The Dutiful Son by Ambrose Bierce
The story follows the life of a young man named John, who is described as being "a model son" and "a credit to his parents." However, as the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that there is more to John than meets the eye. He is haunted by a mysterious figure from his past, and his seemingly perfect life begins to unravel. In this short story, Bierce explores themes of identity, guilt, and the consequences of one's actions. Through John's character, he raises questions about the nature of morality and the expectations placed upon individuals by society. The Dutiful Son is a thought-provoking and haunting tale that will leave readers with a lasting impression.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Fiction, Short Story, Classic · 94 words
First lines
A Millionaire who had gone to an almshouse to visit his father met a
Neighbour there, who was greatly surprised.
"What!" said the Neighbour, "you do sometimes visit your father?"
"If our situations were reversed," said the Millionaire, "I am sure he would visit me. The old man has always been rather proud of me.
What this Textopian page supports
The Dutiful Son is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1899 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: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Classic, Literary, Satire
- Length: 94 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Dutiful Son 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 Dutiful Son?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Coward by Ambrose Bierce
- A Forfeited Right by Ambrose Bierce
- Ad Moodium by Ambrose Bierce
- A Prophet Of Evil by Ambrose Bierce
- The Old Stone House by Anna Katharine Green
- The Division Superintendent by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Fiction — As Ambrose Bierce's 'The Dutiful Son' is a creation of the author's imagination, it falls primarily under the realm of fiction.
- Short Story — Bierce's work is known for its compact and succinct storytelling. 'The Dutiful Son' is a brief work, hence, it can be classified as a short story.
- Classic — Being written by Ambrose Bierce, a renowned author of the late 19th and early 20th century, 'The Dutiful Son' is a piece of classic literature.
- Literary — The book is distinctively characterized by its literary merit and the profundity of its themes, thus fitting in the literary genre.
Tags
gothic · horror · family · drama · mystery · psychological · thriller · suspense · supernatural · haunting · ghost · spooky