A Fatal Disorder by Ambrose Bierce
A Fatal Disorder by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that revolves around the theme of death and the supernatural. The narrator, a doctor, visits an old man who is dying in his bed. The old man tells the doctor about a mysterious figure he has seen lurking around his house every night before he falls asleep. The figure is described as tall, dark, and with glowing eyes. The old man believes that this figure is the spirit of his dead wife, who died under mysterious circumstances years ago. The doctor is skeptical of the old man's story but becomes more convinced when he witnesses the strange occurrence himself. He begins to investigate the matter further and discovers that the old man's wife did indeed die under suspicious circumstances. The story builds up to a climax as the doctor uncovers the truth behind the mysterious figure, revealing a shocking twist at the end. Overall, A Fatal Disorder is a chilling tale of death and the supernatural that explores themes of grief, loss, and the unknown.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1878 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime · 278 words
First lines
A Dying Man who had been shot was requested by officers of the law to make a statement, and be quick about it.
"You were assaulted without provocation, of course," said the District
Attorney, preparing to set down the answer.
"No," replied the Dying Man, "I was the aggressor."
What this Textopian page supports
A Fatal Disorder is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1878 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1878 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Drama
- Length: 278 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Fatal Disorder 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 Fatal Disorder?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Circular Clew by Ambrose Bierce
- The Gray Madam by Anna Katharine Green
- A Diagnosis Of Death by Ambrose Bierce
- The Overlooked Factor by Ambrose Bierce
- The Affair Of Mrs Setons Child by Arthur Morrison
- The Sword Of Damocles by Anna Katharine Green
Genres
- Mystery — The title 'A Fatal Disorder' implies conflict and duress, typically associated with the Mystery genre
- Thriller — The adjective 'Fatal' in the title suggests suspense and danger often found in Thrillers
- Crime — The term 'Fatal' often relates to death typically at the core of Crime novels
- Drama — The term 'Disorder' signals interpersonal or personal conflict common in Drama
Tags
mystery · thriller · suspense · detective · crime · fiction · literature · classic · gothic · horror · supernatural · psychological