The Life-Savers by Ambrose Bierce
The Life-Savers by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that revolves around the theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The narrator, who is also the protagonist, is a man who has made a living by selling "life-savers" – small, round cakes of bread that are meant to be eaten in times of distress or danger. However, as he travels through the desert, he begins to question the value of his product and the purpose of his own life. The story is a commentary on the transience of human existence and the futility of material possessions. The narrator's journey is a metaphor for the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. Through his experiences, Bierce highlights the importance of living in the present moment and finding meaning in one's existence. In conclusion, The Life-Savers is a thought-provoking tale that challenges readers to reflect on their own mortality and the value of their lives.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Fiction, Historical, Adventure · 153 words
First lines
Seventy-Five Men presented themselves before the President of the Humane
Society and demanded the great gold medal for life-saving.
"Why, yes," said the President; "by diligent effort so many men must have saved a considerable number of lives. How many did you save?"
"Seventy-five, sir," replied their Spokesman.
What this Textopian page supports
The Life-Savers 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, Historical, Adventure, War, Social issues
- Length: 153 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Life-Savers 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
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Genres
- Fiction — Ambrose Bierce is known for his works of fiction, including 'The Life-Savers,' and is therefore classified within this genre.
- Historical — Bierce's 'The Life-Savers' is set in a particular time in the past, hence it falls within the Historical genre.
- Adventure — 'The Life-Savers' involves elements of risk, danger, and thrill, making it relevant to the Adventure genre.
- War — Parts of 'The Life-Savers' revolve around military conflict, situating it within the War genre.
Tags
mystery · thriller · detective · crime · fiction · short stories · supernatural · ghost story · horror · suspense · literary fiction · classic literature