Amrose Bierce, some interesting facts
Amrose Bierce was an engineer during the Civil War where his activities included building bridges, surveying and being in the advance guard to prepare cordoury roads, defensive works, planning routes for the troops and even combat during these activities. These experiences were grist for his short stories and had quite an impact on his personal view of life. After the war he worked for Randolph Hurst and his newspaper chain where most of the entries in what would become a compilation known as the Devil's Dictionary were created. Each day he would define in his own inimitable way, a word or two. Sometimes he would become disenchanted with his work for Hurst and quit writing for lengthy periods during which his eccentric employer would continue sending his pay. Sooner or later he would resume his work. This went on for some time. Since he refused to grow old and decrepit, I think he decided to return to some kind of military lifestyle, went south to Mexico to join Pancho Villa, the raider and the rebel, where "the Old Gringo" faded into history, the manner of his death unknown. RJS
Ambrose Bierce vs Hemingway
So I'm in the same boat as the gal who went back to school, me too. so can anyone help me with this? Some differences in short story writing between Bierce and Hemingway. Help!
Ambrose Bierce vs. Hemingway
To Painter: These writers compare as night does to day, or maybe night to twilight. Ambrose Bierce you will find if you read his "Devil's Dictionary" (which was compiled from many small newspaper columns, while working for Randolph Hearst) is cynical yet subconsciously does realize the positive nature of some men and women. Alot of his devilish definitions are tongue in cheek and directed at those who appreciate dark humor. His short stories are both disillusioned and patriotic, despite how negatively he comments on elected officials. He would occasionally get tired of his day job for the Hearst papers and just cease submitting his column; Hearst's response to this was to continue sending his paychecks no matter how long Bierce remained incommunicative until eventually Ambrose would feel obliged to return and earn his pay. The civil war experiences mostly as combat engineer effected himdeeply and forever. Behind all his negative bluster and brilliant satire I suspect there is a frustrated idealist. Hemingway on the extreme other hand was obsessed by writing and vibrant life. The man's man some would call him. He thought F. Scott Fitzgerald was a genious writer but deeply disturbed, and a heavy drinker...alot heavier than Hemingway. F. Scott's wife Zelda was almost certifiably insane at times. Hemingways style means to bring ulta-real experience to his readers. Bierce needed to comment, albiet by satire, about all the inconsistancies, evils, contradictions and egomaniacs that he felt overpopulated his world. I could go on but hope you get my drift. quasimodo1