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The Crimson Candle

A man lying at the point of death called his wife to his bedside and said:

"I am about to leave you forever; give me, therefore, one last proof of your affection and fidelity, for, according to our holy religion, a married man seeking admittance at the gate of Heaven is required to swear that he has never defiled himself with an unworthy woman. In my desk you will find a crimson candle, which has been blessed by the High Priest and has a peculiar mystical significance. Swear to me that while it is in existence you will not remarry."

The Woman swore and the Man died. At the funeral the Woman stood at the head of the bier, holding a lighted crimson candle till it was wasted entirely away.

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Average: 5 (1 vote)

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I sure am glad that people who do comments on these stories proof read and make sure the names of the author and their spelling is correct. Otherwise they might look like idiots. I am sure Mr. Bierce would agree.

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I think that is a funny stories.Actually ,I consider that it not only a humour story but also a meaningful one.It means that womens rights that include work,sexual things,politics...etc. So,it is a good humour story to me.

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its not that we are whores we are just smarter then the man for obvious reasons. but seriously would you want to be miserable for like 20-30 years that you have left. it doesnt mean that she doesnt love him any less but who wants to die alone or even just be alone for 20-30 yrs. its called logic.

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IF you really love someone, theres no need for proof. You just got to have faith. In this instance, only goes to show that the man is a selfish creature for trying to bind his wife to him forever. Well, hes not smart enough.

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I do not say that all women are the same.If she loved her hasband, she might be keep the promise. I think depend on person. She did not love her hasband. Her husband may have used violence on her.I think that she was liberated from a husband.Her action may not be so good, but I like this story.

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Good story.I dont understand why everyone is judging the woman. what about the husband,who even in his deathbed, was only thinking of how to get into heaven rather than worrying about his beloved wifes lonely future who was ready to swear a whole life of loneliness for him. Doesnt it show us that you get only what you give to others.

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I think everyone misconcieves the true ideas in the story and the meaning behind it, it is not that all women are whores or even that all men are selfish. It is the simple truth that people are who they are, and life is what it is. Loneliness is not the answer for the womans life nor is possessing false feelings towards a husband she never loved and who obviously didnt love her since he did not wish for her happiness wherever that and with whomever that maybe.

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Good story! I dont know exactly what is this story behind mean it. there is who is right or wrong. I think most of people will same thing to do with that happen but it doesnt have to gulity about it. Its kind a sad but its true!

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To be frank, I cant understand a meaning of womans action.
Why she use a crimson candle?
She didnt love the man?
Or, its a proof of her love for the man?
Only I can understand that she kept their promise.

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Wow, how many people didnt get it?
Its wit and charm escaped alot of you.

The man foolish to ask of any one that kind of false love and loyalty.

The woman wisely fulfilling his wish to her benefit.

Its a fable folks.

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If you ask me, both of them are in fault. Actually they dont quite make the ideal couple. The Man did not believe in his wife, and the Woman appears to be relieved to lose him. But she kept her promise, and will live her life with someone else, and the man will smile in his afterlife unaware of this.
Short but great, and this does not prove that women are whores.

btw, guys, ambrose bierce writes abt aesops fables, and does anyone know which one this is?

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typical...

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interesting, short but to the point. Okay, heres what Im getting from this piece. The woman is asked to prove she loves her dying husband, and she does by respecting his wishes. However, she burns the candle after he is dead, which I believe to signify her time of grief and moving on.

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From reading this story, I got the idea that the husband asked her that she would not marry as long as the candle existed so after the funeral she lit the candle until it was gone. Therefore, she could marry again. But yes, the husband did not seem to trust her.

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The story is so fun, and gives me two lessons.

First, Person who is wise can do something to want. His wife was so wise that she could satisfy her husbund swearing, and could get married, if she wants it.
Second, Talking about somthing, You should speak simply and clearly. If he didnt speak complicatedly, he could have interrupted her marriage.

In my conclusion, when you make an appointment or order, its necessary to use simple and clear words. Thats why wise person may take advantage of it to avoid doing that.

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the crimson candle by ambrose bierce not expecifie a time because could be applied in anytime.
the main characters are the man and his wife.
one of the settings are their house or their room because the man is lying in his bed, and another setting could be the funeral were the man will be buried.

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the history seemed to me graceful and Sad simultaneously because the man cant Ask his wife that he should promise things when he was dying, and the woman accepted the promises, and then he died at the moment

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I dont think she was going to get married right away,it was the right thing for her to do, keep your options open and move on, its very hard to let go of someone you love,this story was very interesting and coat my atention.I give it 5 stars.

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The woman agreed to the promise to give her husband peace of mind (grace)in his death bed, but the promise was to not get married as long as the candle exsisted so of course all she had to do was melt it, so then she could remarry if she wanted to.
SHE FOUND HER WASY AROUND THE PROMISE!!!! what a genius. great story

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