The Policeman and the Citizen
The Policeman and the Citizen by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of power dynamics and social commentary. The story follows a policeman who stops a citizen on the street and demands to know their name and occupation. When the citizen hesitates, the policeman becomes increasingly aggressive and demanding, highlighting the tension between the two characters. Throughout the story, Bierce uses irony and satire to critique the abuse of power by authority figures. The policeman's behavior is exaggerated and absurd, serving as a commentary on the ways in which those in power can become corrupted and lose sight of their responsibilities. The story also touches on themes of individuality and resistance to authority. The citizen refuses to comply with the policeman's demands, even when faced with aggression and intimidation. This act of defiance serves as a reminder that individuals have the right to stand up for their own autonomy and dignity, even in the face of oppressive power structures. Overall, The Policeman and the Citizen is a thought-provoking and timely story that continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of power dynamics and social commentary make it a classic of American literature.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1878 · Genre: Satire, Fiction, Social Commentary · 129 words
First lines
A Policeman, finding a man that had fallen in a fit, said, "This man is drunk," and began beating him on the head with his club. A passing
Citizen said:
"Why do you murder a man that is already harmless?"
Thereupon the Policeman left the man in a fit and attacked the Citizen, who, after receiving several severe contusions, ran away.
What this Textopian page supports
The Policeman and the Citizen is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1878 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: 1878 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Fiction, Social Commentary, Short Stories
- Length: 129 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Policeman and the Citizen 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 Policeman and the Citizen?
- 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
- Three Kinds Of A Rogue by Ambrose Bierce
- Two In Trouble by Ambrose Bierce
- A Retort by Ambrose Bierce
- To Day by Ambrose Bierce
- The Faithful Cashier by Ambrose Bierce
- Slander by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Bierce's works often contain critical and humorous ruminations on society and human nature, typical of satirical works.
- Fiction — As this is a work by Bierce, it is likely a fictional narrative that uses characters and plot to communicate deeper themes.
- Social Commentary — The title indicates a dichotomy between authority and the common man, a common theme that is often explored in societal commentary.
- Short Stories — Bierce was a prolific short story writer, thus, this work may likely fall into this genre.
Tags
mystery · thriller · detective · crime · fiction · short story · literature · classic · american literature · gothic · irony · satire