The Treasury and the Arms
The Treasury and the Arms by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores themes of power, corruption, and the blurring of lines between right and wrong. The narrative follows a group of government officials who are tasked with managing the country's treasury and arms during times of war. As they become embroiled in the political machinations of their superiors, they find themselves compromising their moral principles and engaging in unethical behavior to maintain their positions of power. The story is a commentary on the corrupting influence of authority and the ease with which individuals can become complicit in unjust systems. Bierce's use of irony and satire highlights the absurdity of the situation, as well as the moral decay that results from the pursuit of power at any cost. Overall, The Treasury and the Arms is a thought-provoking and timely tale that challenges readers to reflect on their own values and beliefs, and the ways in which they might be compromised in the face of authority and pressure.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1870 · Genre: Fiction, Political Fiction, Historical Fiction · 63 words
First lines
A Public Treasury, feeling Two Arms lifting out its contents, exclaimed:
"Mr. Shareman, I move for a division."
"You seem to know something about parliamentary forms of speech," said the Two Arms.
"Yes," replied the Public Treasury, "I am familiar with the hauls of legislation."
What this Textopian page supports
The Treasury and the Arms is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1870 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: 1870 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Political Fiction, Historical Fiction, War Fiction
- Length: 63 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Treasury and the Arms 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 Treasury and the Arms?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The National Guardsman by Ambrose Bierce
- At The National Encampment by Ambrose Bierce
- The Ingenious Patriot by Ambrose Bierce
- The Prerogative Of Might by Ambrose Bierce
- The Case Of The Admiralty Code by Arthur Morrison
- Another Plan by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Fiction — As the works of Ambrose Bierce are noted for their imaginative and often speculative content, the book primarily falls under the genre of Fiction.
- Political Fiction — Given the title 'The Treasury and the Arms', it potentially indicates political themes involving power and finance, classifying it under the genre of Political Fiction.
- Historical Fiction — Ambrose Bierce is known for his works that are usually steeped in historical settings and contexts, making Historical Fiction a probable genre.
- War Fiction — The reference to 'Arms' in title could suggest military or war scenarios, as is common in much of Bierce's work, hence the War Fiction genre.
Tags
war · fiction · short story · government · military · politics · power · corruption · betrayal · mystery · suspense · thriller