91 Results with the "Satire" genre


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      Chapter C

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      by LovelyMay Chapter C opens with Bierce’s knack for blending satire and sharp observation, starting with Caaba, a stone linked to Abraham that embodies religious ambiguity and human folly. By connecting it to the story of Babel, Bierce hints that divine worship often conceals confusion and vanity, turning sacred symbols into reminders of human error. This sets the stage for a series of definitions that unravel accepted meanings to reveal underlying absurdities in culture and belief. His humor highlights how even…
    • Chapter XIV — Crome Yellow Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XIV begins inside the calm sanctuary of the library, the one room in the house that resists the heat of the afternoon. Surrounded by bookshelves painted white and touched with the elegance of the eighteenth century, the space is as much a museum of thought as it is a place of retreat. The air feels still and reflective, inviting both conversation and curiosity. A particular wall, lined with books that seem ancient and well-read, hides something far more unusual—a door that opens not to knowledge…
      Novel • Satire
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      To The Reader

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      by LovelyMay To The Reader, this opening note is not just a formality but a pointed defense of truth against the spread of fantasy. The writer, J. de Luna, steps forward not only as a storyteller but as a witness determined to restore dignity to a tale that has, in his eyes, been twisted into nonsense. A version of Lazarillo's life, recently printed and circulated, told of him falling into the sea and transforming into a fish—a tuna no less—complete with underwater battles, a scaly wife, and tuna offspring. To…
      Novel • Satire
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      Chapter N

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      by LovelyMay Chapter N begins with Bierce’s take on Nectar, the mythical drink of the gods, rendered here as a lost recipe that modern drinkers in Kentucky may have accidentally stumbled upon. His tone lightly mocks the human tendency to romanticize ancient myth while indulging in earthly pleasures that serve similar purposes. Bierce transforms nectar from a symbol of divine vitality to a joke about strong spirits, linking the sacred and profane through satire. This sets the stage for the chapter’s interplay…
    • Chapter XXVI — Crome yellow Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XXVI begins with a burst of life as the fair, sprawling just beyond the estate gardens, captures every inch of the village’s attention. Bright banners flutter, booths brim with sweets and games, and the whirling carousel gleams under the late sun. Steam and music churn from the organ, filling the air with dissonant joy. The townspeople, decked in cheerful outfits, drift from one attraction to another, their faces lit with simple delight. From the tower, Denis watches this colorful mosaic unfold,…
      Novel • Satire
    • Chapter XI: How Lazaro Left for His Homeland and What Happened to Him on the Way Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XI titled "How Lazaro Left for His Homeland and What Happened to Him on the Way" begins with a twist of fate that brings Lazaro face-to-face with a man from his troubled past. In the crowded streets of Madrid, he spots the squire who once deceived him and stole his clothes. Lazaro does not confront him directly. Instead, he cleverly stirs the resentment of a local family who had also been wronged by the same man. Fueled by his provocation, they confront the squire, beat him soundly, and hand him…
      Novel • Satire
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      Chapter VIII

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the animals grappling with the aftermath of the executions, as some recall the Sixth Commandment's prohibition against killing. Clover seeks clarification and discovers the commandment now includes the phrase "without cause," justifying the pigs' actions against alleged traitors. This manipulation of memory highlights the erosion of the original revolutionary principles, as the pigs rewrite history to maintain control. The animals' confusion underscores their vulnerability to…
    • Chapter IV — Crome yellow Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter IV begins with Denis experiencing a morning of quiet indecision, his mood shaped by small choices that feel disproportionately important. Faced with a choice between black and white shoes, he examines himself in the mirror with exaggerated care. Though well-dressed in patent leather, he remains unconvinced by his own reflection—both proud and self-critical. This duality echoes through his behavior as he descends to breakfast, where he finds Jenny already present. Their interaction is fragmented,…
      Novel • Satire
    • My Seventh Stage Cover
      by LovelyMay My Seventh Stage begins as two journeys are set into motion—one by rail, the other by post. As autumn sunlight bathes the English countryside in warmth, Sigismund Zaluski departs from the peaceful town of Muddleton, answering an unexpected summons from his uncle in Russia. Though the visit is intended to be brief—just a fortnight—he leaves behind his belongings and a tender promise to Gertrude, his fiancée, to return soon. Simultaneously, a letter penned in idle malice—full of falsehoods—makes…
      Fiction • Satire
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      Chapter D

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      by LovelyMay Chapter D sets the tone with the redefinition of Damn, a word that Bierce cleverly allows to shift in meaning depending on who defines it—be it theologian, philosopher, or common man. This ambiguity allows him to satirize how language, especially in moral contexts, is shaped more by perception than principle. Bierce uses the term to mock not just religious doctrine, but the human tendency to tailor judgment for convenience. Through this lens, condemnation becomes a flexible tool used selectively. His wit…
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