A Diagnosis of Death
"A Diagnosis of Death" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1890. The story follows the journey of a man who has been diagnosed with death and is on his way to meet his fate. Along the way, he encounters various characters who try to convince him that death is not the end, but rather a new beginning. Despite their efforts, the man remains resolute in his acceptance of death, leading to a bittersweet conclusion.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller · 1,520 words
First lines
"I am not so superstitious as some of your physicians-men of science, as you are pleased to be called," said Hawver, replying to an accusation that had not been made. "Some of you-only a few, I confess-believe in the immortality of the soul, and in apparitions which you have not the honesty to call ghosts. I go no further than a conviction that the living are sometimes seen where they are not, but have been-where they have lived so long, perhaps so intensely, as to have left their impress on everything about them. I know, indeed, that one's environment may be so affected by one's personality as to yield, long afterward, an image of one's self to the eyes of another. Doubtless the impressing personality has to be the right kind of personality as the perceiving eyes have to be the right kind of eyes-mine, for example."
What this Textopian page supports
A Diagnosis of Death is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1898 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: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Gothic Fiction, Supernatural
- Length: 1,520 words
- Structure: 1 section, 24 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Diagnosis of Death 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 Diagnosis of Death?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- My Favorite Murder by Ambrose Bierce
- The Circular Clew by Ambrose Bierce
- An Actor by Ambrose Bierce
- Detected by Ambrose Bierce
- A Spade by Ambrose Bierce
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Genres
- Horror — The novel has many uncanny, suspenseful and terrifying elements common in horror literature.
- Mystery — The story revolves around a puzzling death condition, involving investigation and discovery.
- Thriller — The plot contains elements of suspense and excitement, suggesting a thriller genre.
- Gothic Fiction — Elements of death, suspense and terror are often seen in Gothic Fiction genre.
Tags
mystery · thriller · detective · crime · suspense · horror · gothic · supernatural · fiction · literature · classic · american