The Self-Made Monkey
A man discovers a way to transform himself into a monkey through a series of chemical treatments. He becomes obsessed with his new form and abandons his human life, leading to a tragic downfall.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Satire, Short Stories, Humor · 142 words
First lines
A Man of humble birth and no breading, who held a high political office, was passing through a forest, when he met a Monkey.
"I take it you are one of my constituents," the Man said.
"No," replied the Monkey; "but I will support you if you can urge a valid claim to my approval."
"I am a self-made man," said the other, proudly.
What this Textopian page supports
The Self-Made Monkey 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, Short Stories, Humor, Historical Fiction
- Length: 142 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Self-Made Monkey 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 Self-Made Monkey?
- 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 Belly And The Members by Ambrose Bierce
- The Discontented Malefactor by Ambrose Bierce
- The Yearly Lie by Ambrose Bierce
- The Statesman And The Horse by Ambrose Bierce
- The Royal Jester by Ambrose Bierce
- Mad by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is known for his biting wit and sarcasm, which often manifests in the form of satire in his works. 'The Self-Made Monkey' likely employs similar satirical elements.
- Short Stories — Bierce is known for his concise and penetrating short stories, the title 'The Self-Made Monkey' suggests a stand-alone narrative, fitting Bierce’s style.
- Humor — Bierce's satirical style often lends a humorous tone to his stories, and the title 'The Self-Made Monkey' suggests a light-hearted, funny storyline.
- Historical Fiction — Bierce's works often reflect and critique his own time period, so 'The Self-Made Monkey' may contain elements of historical fiction.
Tags
satire · fable · parody · humor · absurdity · surrealism · allegory · social commentary · political satire · gothic fiction · supernatural · macabre