To-Day by Ambrose Bierce (1899)
The book "TO-DAY" by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of time, mortality, and the fleeting nature of life. The narrator reflects on the passing of time and the impermanence of all things, including human existence. The story is known for its concise and powerful language, which adds to its haunting and thought-provoking nature.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Satire, Fiction, Short Stories · 269 words
First lines
I saw a man who knelt in prayer, And heard him say: "I'll lay my inmost spirit bare To-day.
"Lord, for to-morrow and its need I do not pray; Let me upon my neighbor feed To-day.
"Let me my duty duly shirk And run away From any form or phase of work To-day.
"From Thy commands exempted still Let me obey The promptings of my private will To-day.
What this Textopian page supports
To-Day is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1899 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: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Fiction, Short Stories, Social Commentary
- Length: 269 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To-Day 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 To-Day?
- 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
- Contemplation by Ambrose Bierce
- Art by Ambrose Bierce
- A Guest by Ambrose Bierce
- An Example by Ambrose Bierce
- A Bubble by Ambrose Bierce
- An Explanation by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is known for his biting wit and satirical writing style, which is prominent in this book.
- Fiction — The book contains fictional stories representing Bierce's unique view on his society and its conventions.
- Short Stories — The book is a collection of short stories, each independent but together giving a cohesive glimpse of Bierce's perspective.
- Social Commentary — Bierce's critical and humorous take on his society's shortcomings and vices make this book a significant piece of social commentary.
Tags
horror · fiction · short story · gothic · supernatural · mystery · thriller · suspense · literary fiction · classic · american literature · 19th century literature