Two Footpads by Ambrose Bierce
Two Footpads by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that follows the adventures of two thieves, Jack and Bill, as they attempt to rob a wealthy man's mansion. The story is known for its dark humor and satire, as well as its exploration of themes such as greed, deception, and the consequences of criminal behavior. Here is a brief summary of the story: Jack and Bill are two footpads who have heard of a wealthy man living in a large mansion on the outskirts of town. They decide to rob him, but their plan goes awry when they discover that the man is not as wealthy as they thought. In fact, he is barely scraping by himself. Despite this, Jack and Bill continue with their plan, only to find themselves in a series of misadventures that ultimately lead to their downfall. Throughout the story, Bierce uses humor and satire to critique the excesses of capitalism and the moral emptiness of his characters. The story is a commentary on the corrupting influence of greed and the consequences of criminal behavior, and it remains a classic of American literature to this day.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1892 · Genre: Short Stories, Crime, Drama · 114 words
First lines
Two Footpads sat at their grog in a roadside resort, comparing the evening's adventures.
"I stood up the Chief of Police," said the First Footpad, "and I got away with what he had."
"And I," said the Second Footpad, "stood up the United States District
Attorney, and got away with -- "
What this Textopian page supports
Two Footpads is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1892 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: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Crime, Drama, Historical Fiction
- Length: 114 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Two Footpads 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 Two Footpads?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Stories first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Detected by Ambrose Bierce
- Four Of A Kind by Ambrose Bierce
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- A Black List by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short Stories — Given that 'Two Footpads' is a relatively brief work, part of a larger collection of Ambrose Bierce's short stories.
- Crime — The central figures in the story, the footpads, are criminals, and their actions form the main premise.
- Drama — The narrative involves tense and dramatic situations, suggesting this category.
- Historical Fiction — The story is written in a historical context, displaying details of a past era.
Tags
mystery · thriller · crime · detective · noir · short story · classic · american literature · gothic · horror · supernatural · violence