The Two Poets by Ambrose Bierce
The Two Poets by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of poetry, creativity, and the human condition. The story follows two poets, John and William, who are rivals in both life and literature. Despite their differences, they share a deep respect for each other's craft and find themselves drawn into a heated debate about the nature of poetry. As they argue, their words take on a life of their own, becoming more than just a simple exchange between two individuals. The story raises questions about the role of poetry in society, the power of language, and the human need for creative expression. Through its exploration of these themes, The Two Poets offers a thought-provoking and entertaining read that will resonate with readers long after they finish the story.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1872 · Genre: Fiction, Short stories, Drama · 153 words
First lines
Two Poets were quarrelling for the Apple of Discord and the Bone of
Contention, for they were very hungry.
"My sons," said Apollo, "I will part the prizes between you. You," he said to the First Poet, "excel in Art -- take the Apple. And you," he said to the Second Poet, "in Imagination -- take the Bone."
"To Art the best prize!" said the First Poet, triumphantly, and endeavouring to devour his award broke all his teeth. The Apple was a work of Art.
What this Textopian page supports
The Two Poets is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1872 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: 1872 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Short stories, Drama, Historical Fiction
- Length: 153 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Two Poets 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
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- In High Life by Ambrose Bierce
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- Johndonkey by Ambrose Bierce
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Genres
- Fiction — The book is made up and tells a story, not based on real events or people.
- Short stories — Ambrose Bierce is known for his collections of short stories and this work fits into that category.
- Drama — The book deals with dramatic situations and experiences typical of dramatic literature.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a historical setting or era, incorporating historical characters or events.
Tags
gothic fiction · supernatural fiction · horror · mystery · thriller · literary fiction · short stories · poetry · symbolism · irony · satire · dark humor