The Farmer's Friend
The Farmer's Friend, written by Ambrose Bierce, is a short story that revolves around the themes of loneliness and isolation. The protagonist, a farmer named John, is described as being "an old man with a long white beard" who lives alone on his farm. Despite his age, John is depicted as being strong and capable, but he is also shown to be struggling with the burden of his solitude. The story takes place during the winter months, when the farmer's only companion is his dog, a loyal and faithful animal who provides him with comfort and support. Despite this, John feels a deep sense of loneliness and isolation, which is exacerbated by the harsh weather conditions. As the story progresses, John becomes increasingly paranoid and isolated, convinced that his neighbors are plotting against him. He spends most of his time indoors, huddled around a fire, lost in his thoughts and fears. The only time he ventures outside is to tend to his farm, where he struggles to keep up with the demands of the harsh winter environment. Despite the bleak setting and themes, there are moments of beauty and hope scattered throughout the story. For example, when John's dog dies, he is overcome with grief but also finds comfort in the fact that his pet had been by his side until the very end. This moment serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there can be moments of beauty and connection. Overall, The Farmer's Friend is a poignant and thought-provoking story that explores the themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human need for connection and companionship. Through its vivid descriptions and well-developed characters, the story immerses the reader in the world of a solitary farmer struggling to cope with the harsh realities of winter.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1891 · Genre: Short Stories, Satire, Fiction · 98 words
First lines
A Great Philanthropist who had thought of himself in connection with the
Presidency and had introduced a bill into Congress requiring the
Government to loan every voter all the money that he needed, on his personal security, was explaining to a Sunday-school at a railway station how much he had done for the country, when an angel looked down from
Heaven and wept.
What this Textopian page supports
The Farmer's Friend is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1891 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: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Satire, Fiction, Horror
- Length: 98 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Farmer's Friend 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 Farmer's Friend?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Stories first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Art by Ambrose Bierce
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- Tidings Of Good by Ambrose Bierce
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Genres
- Short Stories — Ambrose Bierce is known for his compact and precise stories, making 'short stories' the most prominent genre.
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce often uses humor, irony, and exaggeration critically, making 'satire' a relevant genre.
- Fiction — As 'The Farmer's Friend' is a product of Bierce's imagination, it fits within the 'fiction' genre.
- Horror — Given the unsettling and disturbing plot elements common in Bierce's works, 'horror' could be a relevant genre.
Tags
fiction · short story · gothic horror · supernatural · mystery · thriller · american literature · classic · literary fiction · psychological horror · suspense · tragedy