The Statesmen by Ambrose Bierce
The Statesmen by Ambrose Bierce is a collection of short stories that offer a satirical and ironic view of politics and government. The book was first published in 1879 and has since become a classic of American literature. The stories in the book are characterized by their wit, humor, and social commentary, often poking fun at the political elite and their antics. Bierce's writing is sharp and biting, with a focus on the absurdity and hypocrisy of politics. Some of the most notable stories in the book include "The Statesman," which satirizes the political machinations of a group of politicians; "The Chancery Elf," which pokes fun at the bureaucratic red tape of government agencies; and "The Panda," which offers a humorous take on the concept of diplomacy. Overall, The Statesmen is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that offers a unique perspective on politics and government. Its satirical tone and clever writing make it a timeless classic of American literature.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1879 · Genre: Political Fiction, Satire, Historical Fiction · 467 words
First lines
How blest the land that counts among Her sons so many good and wise, To execute great feats of tongue When troubles rise.
Behold them mounting every stump Our liberty by speech to guard.
What this Textopian page supports
The Statesmen is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1879 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: 1879 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Political Fiction, Satire, Historical Fiction, Drama
- Length: 467 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Statesmen 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 Statesmen?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Political Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Game Of Politics by Ambrose Bierce
- The Politicians by Ambrose Bierce
- The City Of Political Distinction by Ambrose Bierce
- Two Politicians by Ambrose Bierce
- Lusus Politicus by Ambrose Bierce
- The Politician by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Political Fiction — The book tells the story of political figures and their roles in society. It reflects the author's views on political systems and notions of power.
- Satire — Bierce's work often contains satirical views of American society and its institutions, and this book is no exception.
- Historical Fiction — The Statesmen features settings and events from a specific historical era, reflecting accurate historical details that add to the narrative.
- Drama — The story is filled with dramatic scenarios and interaction amongst the characters, creating intense situations driven by their decision making.
Tags
political satire · government corruption · power struggle · ambition · betrayal · deception · greed · ideology · loyalty · moral ambiguity · nationalism · propaganda