The Man and the Dog
The Man and the Dog, written by Ambrose Bierce, is a short story that follows the journey of a man and his dog through a post-apocalyptic world. The story begins with the man and his dog wandering through a barren landscape, searching for any sign of life or hope. As they continue their journey, they come across various obstacles and challenges, including a group of hostile survivors who threaten their safety. Despite these challenges, the man and his dog remain determined to find a way to survive and rebuild their lives. Throughout the story, Bierce explores themes of resilience, hope, and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals in the face of adversity.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama · 113 words
First lines
A Man who had been bitten by a Dog was told that the wound would heal if he would dip a piece of bread in the blood and give it to the Dog. He did so.
"No," said the Dog; "if I were to accept that, it might be thought that in biting you I was actuated by improper motives."
"And by what motives were you actuated?" asked the Man.
"I desired," replied the Dog, "merely to harmonise myself with the Divine Scheme of Things. I'm a child of Nature."
What this Textopian page supports
The Man and the Dog 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 Fiction, Drama, Adventure
- Length: 113 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Man and the Dog 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 Man and the Dog?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- An Inadequate Fee by Ambrose Bierce
- A Forfeited Right by Ambrose Bierce
- The Penitent Elector by Ambrose Bierce
- The Returned Californian by Ambrose Bierce
- The Thoughtful Warden by Ambrose Bierce
- Disavowal by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Fiction — The story is entirely imagined by the author and does not represent factual events.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative and characters are set in a historical era with historically accurate details.
- Drama — The book focuses on the intense emotions and relationships between the characters.
- Adventure — The plot often takes the characters on an exciting journey with dangers and challenges.
Tags
classic · short story · fiction · literature · dog · man · relationship · emotional · intrigue · mystery · suspense · thriller