Ambrose Bierce was known for his wit and strong commentary and more importantly his impact on nineteenth century American literature. He ultimately left behind a series of works that ranged from short stories to poetry, such as his work “Decalogue,” a poem known for its satirical examination of the ten moral commandments referred to in the Bible. Each of the ten stanzas of the poem is meant to represent each individual commandment and their significance to the commandments we followed as a society then and we unfortunately still follow now. Bierce challenges these conventional norms by not only providing a satirical examination of the Ten Commandments but also by straying from the common romantic and idealistic themes many writers chose to stick to during this time. 

Bierce presents each commandment in an ironic and almost amused tone to expose the layers of hypocrisy and contradictions that are present in traditional moral principles. He seems to have somewhat of a mocking tone when mentioning each commandment. I think it is important to be able to acknowledge the impracticality and hypocrisy of human behavior. The ‘commandments’ we revolve our lives around are considered divine directives for righteous living however they don’t take into consideration that not all moral dilemmas are straightforward. Life is more than a canvas painted by black and white directives; it consists of a rich tapestry of colors especially including morally grey areas. Through his poem Bierce challenges the idea that the commandments are a blueprint for human living by providing examples that emphasize the messy realities of life. He forces readers to acknowledge that we all think we are living ‘righteously’ until we aren’t; from a first-person perspective, we tend to only acknowledge the faults of others by subjecting them to a list of impractical guidelines that defy human nature itself. As someone who attended a high school with those same commandments plastered on the gym wall, I view the commandments in a similar way to Bierce, I think realistic decision-making necessitates nuanced interpretations of the individual circumstance. The ‘correct’ way to live is unknown, in reality we are all experiencing life for the first time no matter our age, background, gender or sexuality we are all simply doing the best we can to make it through another day. 

At the time Bierce wrote and published this poem many other works consisted of themes of nature, patriotism, and other emotion provoking ideas, Bierce obviously takes a very different approach and engages with moral and ethical themes in a critical manner. Other poems at this time incorporated a melodious tone to their work that merged with the themes of nature while Bierce exhibits a sharp, satirical tone that portrays his critical and almost condescending feelings towards the commandments and society as a whole. Bierce as a writer has a rare willingness to confront societal hypocrisy through his poetry while acknowledging the ethical and moral dilemmas that plague society. His writing style is distinctive for its unconventional approach to a subject matter compared to other poets in the nineteenth century. 

Ambrose Bierce’s “Decalogue” is a stark contrast to other works in the nineteenth century, from his critical examination of morality to his revolutionary critique of societal norms his work marks the beginning of a new outlet for poets and readers to express themselves. This poem was especially significant to me as a reader because I grew up going to a very traditional Christian school that saw the Ten Commandments as law and the only way to live. I began to question the practicality of these rules as I grew up and experienced real life and all its complexities, so seeing a writer take such a respected concept and dissect its practicality was fascinating to read. “Decalogue” opens a door for personal interpretation and exists as a poem that not only slams outdated societal norms but also exists as a work that remains significant in the twenty first century. As societal rules persist in leading towards destruction and unrest, I think it is crucial to acknowledge that although many rules serve vital functions in maintaining order and safety many can be inherently destructive, such as the Ten Commandments as Bierce portrays them. Overall Bierce does a phenomenal job at addressing truths about human nature in a way that validates others while inspiring a sense of empathy and grace in the reader to guide us away from rules that don’t acknowledge the chaotic and unpredictable nature of real-life problems. 

“The Ten Commandments of Ambrose Bierce #3” Peter Paone

Works Cited

Panone, Peter. “Peter Paone, ‘The Ten Commandments of Ambrose Bierce #3’ (1963): Pafa – Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.” PAFA, 28 Dec. 2014, www.pafa.org/museum/collection/item/ten-commandments-ambrose-bierce-3.