The Man and the Wart
The Man and the Wart by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that follows the journey of a man who finds himself in a strange situation after being attacked by a wart. The man, who remains unnamed throughout the story, is left with a large, talking wart on his neck that speaks to him and offers advice on how to live his life. Despite the absurdity of the situation, the man takes the wart's advice to heart and learns valuable lessons about life, love, and happiness. In this story, Bierce uses satire and irony to comment on society's expectations of men and their roles in relationships. The man is initially hesitant to listen to the wart's advice, but eventually comes to realize that it is offering him valuable insights into his own life. Through the wart's words, Bierce critiques societal norms and encourages readers to think more deeply about their own beliefs and values. Overall, The Man and the Wart is a thought-provoking and humorous tale that challenges readers to question their assumptions about gender roles and societal expectations.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Satire, Short Story, Absurdist · 208 words
First lines
A Person with a Wart on His Nose met a Person Similarly Afflicted, and said:
"Let me propose your name for membership in the Imperial Order of
Abnormal Proboscidians, of which I am the High Noble Toby and
Surreptitious Treasurer. Two months ago I was the only member. One month ago there were two. To-day we number four Emperors of the Abnormal
What this Textopian page supports
The Man and the Wart 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: Satire, Short Story, Absurdist
- Length: 208 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Man and the Wart 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 Wart?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Goose And The Swan by Ambrose Bierce
- Oil Of Dog by Ambrose Bierce
- A Crocodile by Ambrose Bierce
- His Fly Speck Majesty by Ambrose Bierce
- The Royal Jester by Ambrose Bierce
- The Fabulist And The Animals by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is known for his biting wit and scornful view of human nature, elements which are present in 'The Man and the Wart'.
- Short Story — The narrative is self-contained and brief, fitting the criteria of a short story.
- Absurdist — The work often showcases irrational, nonsensical events or concepts, reflecting an absurdist tone.
Tags
gothic · horror · fantasy · magical realism · satire · dark humor · absurdity · surrealism · symbolism · allegory · parable · fable