A Creature of Habit
The story revolves around a man who has become so accustomed to his daily routine that he cannot deviate from it even when faced with extraordinary circumstances. His habits are so ingrained that they dictate every aspect of his life, including his relationships and interactions with others. The narrative explores the consequences of such rigidity and the impact it has on those around him.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1868 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Western, Tragedy · 742 words
First lines
At Hawley's Bar, a mining camp near Virginia City, Mont., a gambler named Henry Graham, but commonly known as "Gray Hank," met a miner named Dreyfuss one day, with whom he had had a dispute the previous night about a game of cards, and asked him into a barroom to have a drink. The unfortunate miner, taking this as an overture of peace, gladly accepted. They stood at the counter, and while Dreyfuss was in the act of drinking Graham shot him dead. This was in 1865. Within an hour after the murder Graham was in the hands of the vigilantes, and that evening at sunset, after a fair, if informal, trial, he was hanged to the limb of a tree which grew upon a little eminence within sight of the whole camp. The original intention had been to "string him up," as is customary in such affairs; and with a view to that operation the long rope had been thrown over the limb, while a dozen pairs of hands were ready to hoist away. For some reason this plan was abandoned; the free end of the rope was made fast to a bush and the victim compelled to stand on the back of a horse, which at the cut of a whip sprang from under him, leaving him swinging. When steadied, his feet were about eighteen inches from the earth.
What this Textopian page supports
A Creature of Habit is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1868 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1868 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Western, Tragedy, Dark Humor, Literary Fiction
- Length: 742 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Creature of Habit by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Creature of Habit?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Ways Of Ghosts by Ambrose Bierce
- The Night Doings At Deadmans by Ambrose Bierce
- The Other Lodgers by Ambrose Bierce
- Beyond The Wall by Ambrose Bierce
- The Famous Gilson Bequest by Ambrose Bierce
- That Of Granny Magone by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The story features dark themes, death, and horror elements, characteristic of Gothic literature.
- Western — Set in a mining camp, it reflects the lawlessness and vigilante justice typical of Western narratives.
- Tragedy — The narrative centers on a fatal conflict and the consequences of violence, embodying tragic elements.
- Dark Humor — The absurdity of the situation and the morbid humor in the depiction of death provide a darkly comedic tone.
Tags
Dark Fantasy · Supernatural Fiction · Gothic Horror · Short Story Collection · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Mystery and Suspense · Psychological Thriller · Paranormal Activity · Unsettling Atmosphere · Macabre Humor · Satire