The Humorist by Ambrose Bierce
The Humorist by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of satire and social commentary. The narrative follows a man who has dedicated his life to being funny, but finds himself struggling to maintain his comedic persona as he grows older. Through his character's journey, Bierce critiques societal norms and expectations around aging, identity, and the role of humor in society. The story is known for its biting wit and clever wordplay, which add to its enduring appeal as a classic of American literature.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1895 · Genre: Satire, Humor, Short Stories · 212 words
First lines
"What is that, mother?" "The funny man, child.
His hands are black, but his heart is mild."
"May I touch him, mother?" "T were foolishly done: He is slightly touched already, my son."
"O, why does he wear such a ghastly grin?" "That's the outward sign of a joke within."
What this Textopian page supports
The Humorist is listed on Textopian as an essay by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Humor, Short Stories, Literary Fiction
- Length: 212 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Humorist 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 Humorist?
- How does this essay by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Laughter by Sonora Jha
- The Self Made Monkey by Ambrose Bierce
- The King Of Bores by Ambrose Bierce
- The Yearly Lie by Ambrose Bierce
- A Seasonable Joke by Ambrose Bierce
- For Mayor by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce uses humor as a tool for satirical criticism of society and its institutions throughout the book.
- Humor — As the title suggests, the overriding theme of the book involves humor to illustrate its points and stories.
- Short Stories — This work is a collection of standalone stories and comical parodies, a format typical of Bierce's works.
- Literary Fiction — Although humor is a strong element, the depth of the texts and the eloquent language use signify that it's a work of literary fiction.
Tags
dark humor · satire · irony · parody · absurdity · sarcastic · witty · humorous · comedic · biting · acerbic · caustic