The Shafter Shafted
The Shaftesbury Shafted is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in the late 19th century. It follows the tale of a man named John who, after being wrongfully accused and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, seeks revenge against those who wronged him. The story explores themes of justice, morality, and the consequences of one's actions.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1896 · Genre: Satire, Short Story, Historical Fiction · 273 words
First lines
Well, James McMillan Shafter, you're a Judge -- At least you were when last I knew of you; And if the people since have made you budge I did not notice it. I've much to do Without endeavoring to follow, through The miserable squabbles, dust and smudge, The fate of even the veteran contenders Who fight with flying colors and suspenders.
Being a Judge, 'tis natural and wrong That you should villify the public press -- Save while you are a candidate. That song Is easy quite to sing, and I confess It wins applause from hearers who have less Of spiritual graces than belong To audiences of another kidney -- Men, for example, like Sir Philip Sidney.
What this Textopian page supports
The Shafter Shafted is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1896 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: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Short Story, Historical Fiction, Dark Humor, War Literature
- Length: 273 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Shafter Shafted 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 Shafter Shafted?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Ineffective Rooter by Ambrose Bierce
- His Fly Speck Majesty by Ambrose Bierce
- The Yearly Lie by Ambrose Bierce
- The Writer And The Tramps by Ambrose Bierce
- The Oleomargarine Man by Ambrose Bierce
- The King Of Bores by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce's works, including 'The Shafter Shafted', often utilize satire to critique societal norms and behaviors.
- Short Story — Bierce is known for his short stories; 'The Shafter Shafted' is likely written in this concise form as well.
- Historical Fiction — 'The Shafter Shafted' might have historical elements, as Bierce frequently incorporates his Civil War experiences into his writing.
- Dark Humor — Bierce's writings frequently utilize dark or black humor, making this a potential genre of 'The Shafter Shafted'.
Tags
humor · satire · fiction · short story · American literature · classic · literary fiction · victorian era · irony · parody · wordplay · absurdity