The Dying Statesman by Ambrose Bierce
The Dying Statesman by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of mortality, regret, and the fleeting nature of life. The protagonist, a former statesman, lies on his deathbed, surrounded by his family and friends, who are forced to confront their own mortality as they watch him succumb to his illness. As he lays dying, the statesman reflects on his life and all that he has missed out on, including the love of his family and the passing of time. He is filled with regret for not having spent more time with those who matter most to him and for not having pursued his dreams with greater passion and purpose. Throughout the story, Bierce uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the statesman's emotional state and the inevitability of death. The story is a powerful reminder of the importance of living life to the fullest and cherishing every moment, as death can come at any time without warning.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1870 · Genre: Satire, Poetry, Political Commentary · 218 words
First lines
It is a politician man -- / He draweth near his end, / And friends weep round that partisan, / Of every man the friend.
Between the Known and the Unknown / He lieth on the strand; / The light upon the sea is thrown / That lay upon the land.
It shineth in his glazing eye, / It burneth on his face; / God send that when we come to die / We know that sign of grace!
Upon his lips his blessed sprite / Poiseth her joyous wing. / "How is it with thee, child of light? / Dost hear the angels sing?"
What this Textopian page supports
The Dying Statesman is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1870 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: 1870 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Poetry, Political Commentary, Dark Humor, Philosophical
- Length: 218 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Dying Statesman 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
Similar titles
- A Fish Commissioner by Ambrose Bierce
- The City Of Political Distinction by Ambrose Bierce
- The Ineffective Rooter by Ambrose Bierce
- The Oleomargarine Man by Ambrose Bierce
- A Social Call by Ambrose Bierce
- To A Censor by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — The poem critiques political figures and the nature of politics, using humor and irony.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Political Commentary — It reflects on the life and death of a politician, addressing themes of legacy and public service.
- Dark Humor — The poem employs a morbid sense of humor regarding death and politics.
Tags
political satire · fiction · short story · literary fiction · American literature · classic literature · government corruption · power struggle · ambition · greed · death · irony