The Wise and Good by Ambrose Bierce
The Wise and Good is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1893. It follows the journey of a man named John Honeywood, who after being wrongfully accused of murder, sets out to prove his innocence. Along the way, he encounters various characters who test his morality and ethics. The story raises questions about justice, fairness, and the nature of good and evil.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1893 · Genre: Philosophy, Essays, Ethics · 301 words
First lines
"O father, I saw at the church as I passed The populace gathered in numbers so vast That they couldn't get in; and their voices were low, And they looked as if suffering terrible woe."
"Twas the funeral, child, of a gentleman dead For whom the great heart of humanity bled."
What this Textopian page supports
The Wise and Good is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1893 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: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophy, Essays, Ethics, Non-Fiction, Satire
- Length: 301 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wise and Good 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 Wise and Good?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Philosophy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- An Invocation by Ambrose Bierce
- Reminded by Ambrose Bierce
- The Party Over There by Ambrose Bierce
- In The Binnacle by Ambrose Bierce
- Mr Sheets by Ambrose Bierce
- The Haunted Valley by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Philosophy — The book's title suggests an exploration of wisdom and goodness, often addressed in philosophical discourse.
- Essays — Ambrose Bierce is known for his concise and pointed writing style often associated with essays.
- Ethics — The book's title can be interpreted as an examination of moral and ethical faculties.
- Non-Fiction — Ambrose Bierce's work often targeted real-world fallacies and challenges, suggesting the likelihood of the book falling under non-fiction.
Tags
fiction · short story · gothic horror · supernatural · mystery · thriller · suspense · literary fiction · classic literature · american literature · 19th century literature · ghost story