The Man out of the Nose
A man's nose grows longer with each lie he tells. The story follows a man who becomes increasingly dishonest and his nose grows accordingly. His lies become more elaborate and outlandish, causing his nose to grow longer and more grotesque. Eventually, the man's nose becomes so long that it interferes with his daily life, leading him to attempt to cut it off in order to stop telling lies.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary · 3,236 words
First lines
At the intersection of two certain streets in that part of San Francisco known by the rather loosely applied name of North Beach, is a vacant lot, which is rather more nearly level than is usually the case with lots, vacant or otherwise, in that region. Immediately at the back of it, to the south, however, the ground slopes steeply upward, the acclivity broken by three terraces cut into the soft rock. It is a place for goats and poor persons, several families of each class having occupied it jointly and amicably "from the foundation of the city. " One of the humble habitations of the lowest terrace is noticeable for its rude resemblance to the human face, or rather to such a simulacrum of it as a boy might cut out of a hollowed pumpkin, meaning no offense to his race. The eyes are two circular windows, the nose is a door, the mouth an aperture caused by removal of a board below. There are no doorsteps. As a face, this house is too large; as a dwelling, too small. The blank, unmeaning stare of its lidless and browless eyes is uncanny.
What this Textopian page supports
The Man out of the Nose is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary, Tragedy, Gothic Fiction
- Length: 3,236 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- A Vine On A House by Ambrose Bierce
- The Grasshopper by Anton Chekhov
- The Looking Glass by Anton Chekhov
- What Happened To Bulka In Pyatigorsk by Leo Tolstoy
- Waiter A Bock by Guy De Maupassant
- The Mockingbird by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, societal roles, and the human condition through detailed character studies and narrative style.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the psychological states of the characters, particularly the protagonist's mental decline and emotional turmoil.
- Social Commentary — It critiques social class disparities and the impact of poverty on personal relationships and individual choices.
- Tragedy — The narrative culminates in tragic events that highlight the characters' suffering and the consequences of their actions.
Tags
Satire · Dark Humor · Absurdism · Social Commentary · Fiction · Short Story · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Irony · Sarcasm · Critique of Society · Morality Tale