The Penitent Thief by Ambrose Bierce
The Penitent Thief by Ambrose Bierce is a novella that tells the story of a man who is wrongfully accused of murder and sentenced to death. As he awaits his execution, the protagonist reflects on his past mistakes and the events that led him to this point. Throughout the story, Bierce explores themes of justice, morality, and redemption. The novella is known for its dark and atmospheric tone, as well as its thought-provoking examination of human nature.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1890 · Genre: Short Stories, Dark Humor, Horror · 96 words
First lines
A Boy who had been taught by his Mother to steal grew to be a man and was a professional public official. One day he was taken in the act and condemned to die. While going to the place of execution he passed his
Mother and said to her:
"Behold your work. If you had not taught me to steal, I should not have come to this."
"Indeed!" said the Mother. "And who, pray, taught you to be detected?"
What this Textopian page supports
The Penitent Thief is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Dark Humor, Horror, Historical Fiction, Satire
- Length: 96 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for The Penitent Thief 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 Penitent Thief?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Stories first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- An Arrest by Ambrose Bierce
- The Bosss Choice by Ambrose Bierce
- A Black List by Ambrose Bierce
- The Valley Of The Shadow Of Theft by Ambrose Bierce
- One Morning by Ambrose Bierce
- Detected by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short Stories — Ambrose Bierce is well-known for his compact, tightly woven narratives typically depicting a twist at the end
- Dark Humor — Bierce is highly regarded for his dark and cynical sense of humor, often presenting grim situations laced with irony.
- Horror — Bierce also exhibits a pronounced proclivity for the macabre and the supernatural, making horror a prominent genre in his works.
- Historical Fiction — Several of Bierce's works make historical allusions or are set in specific historical periods, providing basis for the historical fiction genre.
Tags
mystery · thriller · crime · detective · fiction · literature · classic · gothic · horror · supernatural · suspense · intrigue