The Pun by Ambrose Bierce (1889)
THE PUN, by Ambrose Bierce, is a short story that explores the concept of puns and their power to manipulate language and meaning. The narrator describes the experience of reading a work filled with puns as "a curious sensation, a feeling halfway between laughter and pain." The story raises questions about the limits of language and communication, and the ways in which puns can both delight and confound readers. How does this resonate with your own experiences of reading literature?
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1889 · Genre: Humor, Satire, Short Stories · 315 words
First lines
Hail, peerless Pun! thou last and best, Most rare and excellent bequest Of dying idiot to the wit He died of, rat-like, in a pit!
Thyself disguised, in many a way Thou let'st thy sudden splendor play, Adorning all where'er it turns, As the revealing bull's-eye burns, Of the dim thief, and plays its trick Upon the lock he means to pick.
What this Textopian page supports
The Pun is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1889 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: 1889 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Satire, Short Stories, Fiction
- Length: 315 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Pun 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 Pun?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Corrected News by Ambrose Bierce
- A Seasonable Joke by Ambrose Bierce
- The Critics by Ambrose Bierce
- The Shafter Shafted by Ambrose Bierce
- The Man And His Goose by Ambrose Bierce
- The Genesis Of Embarrassment by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Humor — Ambrose Bierce is well-known for his sardonic wit and humor, often employing puns and satire in his works.
- Satire — Bierce's use of puns typically involves irony and sarcasm, indicating a satirical writing style.
- Short Stories — Bierce was predominantly a short story writer, as 'The Pun' is likely in this format.
- Fiction — Bierce's works often draw upon fictitious scenarios and characters, classifying his works into general fiction.
Tags
humor · satire · wordplay · language · literature · short stories · American literature · classic literature · victorian era · irony · parody · absurdity