The Party Manager and the Gentleman
The Party Manager and the Gentleman by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores themes of power dynamics, social hierarchy, and the consequences of one's actions. The story follows the character of the Party Manager, who is tasked with organizing a lavish party for a wealthy gentleman. However, as the Party Manager becomes more and more invested in the party's success, he begins to prioritize his own ambition over the gentleman's well-being. Through the use of symbolism and foreshadowing, Bierce highlights the dangers of allowing one's ambition to cloud one's judgment. The Party Manager's descent into madness serves as a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of power and the importance of staying grounded in one's values. Overall, The Party Manager and the Gentleman is a thought-provoking and timely reminder about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of ethical leadership.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Satire, Political fiction, Comedy · 270 words
First lines
A Party Manager said to a Gentleman whom he saw minding his own business:
"How much will you pay for a nomination to office?"
"Nothing," the Gentleman replied.
"But you will contribute something to the campaign fund to assist in your election, will you not?" asked the Party Manager, winking.
What this Textopian page supports
The Party Manager and the Gentleman 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, Political fiction, Comedy, Historical fiction
- Length: 270 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Party Manager and the Gentleman by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Party Manager and the Gentleman?
- 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 American Sycophant by Ambrose Bierce
- The Committee On Public Morals by Ambrose Bierce
- The Politicians And The Plunder by Ambrose Bierce
- The King Of Bores by Ambrose Bierce
- A Statesman by Ambrose Bierce
- An Undress Uniform by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is widely recognized for his satirical writing style, often using wit and sarcasm to critique society and politics.
- Political fiction — The narrative revolves around the themes of politics and intrigue, making it a prime example of political fiction.
- Comedy — The book's satirical approach often offers humorous portrayals of its characters and events, hence it can also be considered a comedy.
- Historical fiction — Despite its satirical tone, the book provides a reinterpretation of historical events, thus falling into the category of historical fiction.
Tags
humor · satire · politics · social commentary · fiction · short story · literature · American literature · 19th century literature · classic literature · victorian era · british literature