Two Shows by Ambrose Bierce (1899)
"Two Shows" is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1890. The story follows two traveling performers, a ventriloquist and his dumb (or mute) assistant, who are on their way to a performance in a small town. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles, including a rainstorm that floods the road and a group of rowdy townsfolk who try to intimidate them. Despite these challenges, the performers persevere and eventually arrive at their destination, where they put on a successful show for the local residents. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Short Stories, Fantasy, Horror · 317 words
First lines
The showman (blessing in a thousand shapes!) Parades a "School of Educated Apes!"
What this Textopian page supports
Two Shows 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: Short Stories, Fantasy, Horror, War & Military, Satire
- Length: 317 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Two Shows 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 Shows?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Stories first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Dampened Ardor by Ambrose Bierce
- At The National Encampment by Ambrose Bierce
- A Forfeited Right by Ambrose Bierce
- The Dutiful Son by Ambrose Bierce
- An Actor by Ambrose Bierce
- A Wet Season by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short Stories — Ambrose Bierce is renowned for his short story collections and this novel includes a collection of his short stories.
- Fantasy — Some stories of Ambrose Bierce contain elements of the supernatural, making fantasy a relevant genre.
- Horror — Ambrose Bierce’s writing style and fondness for including grim and eerie components within his stories make the horror genre fitting.
- War & Military — Considering Bierce’s own experiences in the Civil War, elements of military or war themes find their way into his stories.
Tags
drama · theater · performance · acting · playwright · comedy · tragedy · mystery · suspense · thriller · horror · fantasy