The Oleomargarine Man
The Oleomargarine Man is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1899. The story follows the life of an oleomargarine salesman named Mr. Snodgrass, who is known for his enthusiastic and persistent attempts to sell his product to unsuspecting customers. Despite his efforts, Mr. Snodgrass faces numerous rejections and setbacks, ultimately leading to a tragic ending.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Satire, Social Criticism, Short Stories · 651 words
First lines
Once -- in the county of Marin, Where milk is sold to purchase gin -- Renowned for butter and renowned For fourteen ounces to the pound -- A bull stood watching every turn Of Mr. Wilson with a churn, As that deigning worthy stalked About him, eying as he walked, El Toro's sleek and silken hide, His neck, his flank and all beside; Thinking with secret joy: "I'll spread That mammal on a slice of bread!"
What this Textopian page supports
The Oleomargarine Man is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Social Criticism, Short Stories, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
- Length: 651 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Oleomargarine Man 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 Oleomargarine Man?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Shafter Shafted by Ambrose Bierce
- The Man And His Goose by Ambrose Bierce
- The Writer And The Tramps by Ambrose Bierce
- The Statesman And The Horse by Ambrose Bierce
- The Belly And The Members by Ambrose Bierce
- His Fly Speck Majesty by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is renowned for his satirical writing and sharp wit, which he could have used extensively in a book like 'THE OLEOMARGARINE MAN' to create humorous and sarcastic commentary.
- Social Criticism — Bierce's work often verge on social criticism, satirizing societal norms and behaviors. The title suggests the same could be true for this book which metaphorically may convey refutation of artificiality through the character of the Oleomargarine man.
- Short Stories — Ambrose Bierce was a prolific writer of short stories, 'THE OLEOMARGARINE MAN' could be a series of interconnected short stories based around the same character or theme.
- Historical Fiction — Given Bierce's time in the Civil War, he could use historical themes or eras in a fictionalized way. The oleomargarine was produced commercially in the late-19th to the 20th century, which could imply that this work may be set in that period and could entail elements of historical fiction.
Tags
humor · satire · fiction · short story · American literature · Victorian era · irony · parody · absurdity · surrealism · symbolism · allegory