The Holy Deacon by Ambrose Bierce
The Holy Deacon by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of religion, morality, and the human condition. The story follows the journey of a man named Father John, who is tasked with converting a group of Native Americans to Christianity. However, as he delves deeper into their culture and beliefs, he begins to question his own faith and the validity of his mission. The story is known for its dark humor and satire, as Bierce critiques the hypocrisy and dogmatism of organized religion. Through Father John's struggles with his own beliefs and values, Bierce raises questions about the nature of faith and the role it plays in shaping our understanding of the world. Overall, The Holy Deacon is a thought-provoking and timely story that continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of religion, morality, and the human condition make it a classic of American literature.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Religious Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction · 127 words
First lines
An Itinerant Preacher who had wrought hard in the moral vineyard for several hours whispered to a Holy Deacon of the local church:
"Brother, these people know you, and your active support will bear fruit abundantly. Please pass the plate for me, and you shall have one fourth."
The Holy Deacon did so, and putting the money into his pocket waited till the congregation was dismissed and said goodnight.
"But the money, brother, the money that you collected!" said the Itinerant Preacher.
What this Textopian page supports
The Holy Deacon is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1898 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: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 127 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Holy Deacon 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
- One Of The Saints by Ambrose Bierce
- In High Life by Ambrose Bierce
- One Of The Redeemed by Ambrose Bierce
- A Commuted Sentence by Ambrose Bierce
- Saint And Sinner by Ambrose Bierce
- Magnanimity by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Religious Fiction — The title of the book 'The Holy Deacon' suggests that the book could be based on religious themes or characters of religious importance.
- Historical Fiction — If 'The Holy Deacon' is set in a historical period, it can be categorized as a Historical Fiction.
- Literary Fiction — Ambrose Bierce is known for his literary writing style, hence this book might belong to the Literary Fiction genre.
Tags
gothic fiction · religious themes · supernatural elements · mystery · thriller · horror · dark humor · satire · social commentary · psychological horror · symbolism · allegory