Wasted Sweets by Ambrose Bierce
Wasted Sweets is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1890. The story follows the life of a young girl named Lily who lives with her mother and stepfather in a small town. Lily's stepfather, Mr. Harkaway, is a cruel and abusive man who treats her poorly. One day, while out picking wildflowers, Lily finds a beehive and is stung on the hand. Her stepfather refuses to help her, leaving her in pain and suffering. As Lily's condition worsens, she becomes delirious and begins to hallucinate. She sees visions of her dead father, who comforts and protects her from the cruelty of her stepfather. Eventually, Lily dies from the bee sting, surrounded by her hallucinations of her father. The story is a commentary on the cruelty and abuse that women often face in society, as well as the powerlessness of individuals to escape their circumstances. Bierce's use of symbolism, such as the beehive and the wildflowers, adds depth and meaning to the narrative, highlighting the beauty and fragility of life.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1872 · Genre: Satire, Short Stories, Historical · 124 words
First lines
A Candidate canvassing his district met a Nurse wheeling a Baby in a carriage, and, stooping, imprinted a kiss upon the Baby's clammy muzzle.
Rising, he saw a Man, who laughed.
"Why do you laugh?" asked the Candidate.
"Because," replied the Man, "the Baby belongs to the Orphan Asylum."
What this Textopian page supports
Wasted Sweets 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: Satire, Short Stories, Historical, Suspense, Horror
- Length: 124 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
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- Work identity for Wasted Sweets by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
- In High Life by Ambrose Bierce
- The Blotted Escutcheon And The Soiled Ermine by Ambrose Bierce
- The Mourning Brothers by Ambrose Bierce
- From The Minutes by Ambrose Bierce
- Six And One by Ambrose Bierce
- Sires And Sons by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce's writing is often characterized by sharp wit and biting social criticism, hallmarks of the satirical genre.
- Short Stories — Much of Bierce's work consists of brief, compact tales.
- Historical — Bierce often uses past events and periods as the backdrop for his narratives.
- Suspense — Bierce's stories often create tension and uncertainty, key elements of the suspense genre.
Tags
gothic fiction · supernatural horror · mystery · thriller · dark humor · satire · social commentary · psychological horror · literary fiction · American literature · 19th century literature · short stories