A Nightmare by Ambrose Bierce (1865)
"A Nightmare" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1894. The story follows a man who, after experiencing a vivid and terrifying dream, becomes convinced that he is living in a nightmarish reality. As he struggles to distinguish between his dreams and reality, the narrator's grip on sanity begins to slip, leading to a haunting and unsettling conclusion.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1865 · Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller · 137 words
First lines
I dreamed that I was dead. The years went by: The world forgot that such a man as I Had ever lived and written: other names Were hailed with homage, in their turn to die.
Out of my grave a giant beech upgrew.
Its roots transpierced my body, through and through, My substance fed its growth. From many lands Men came in troops that giant tree to view.
'T was sacred to my memory and fame -- My monument. But Allen Forman came, Filled with the fervor of a new untruth, And carved upon the trunk his odious name!
What this Textopian page supports
A Nightmare is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1865 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: 1865 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Psychological, Fantasy
- Length: 137 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Nightmare 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 Nightmare?
- 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
- The Man And The Viper by Ambrose Bierce
- The House by Arthur Willis Colton
- The Shrieking Pit by Arthur J. Rees
- The Woman And The Devil by Ambrose Bierce
- Fallen by Ambrose Bierce
- The Victor And The Victim by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Horror — The title 'A Nightmare' implies a horrific or frightening event, which aligns with the horror genre.
- Mystery — The plot of the book involves unexplainable and mysterious events.
- Thriller — The book contains high levels of suspense and tension, typical of the thriller genre.
- Psychological — The plot delves into the protagonist's psychological state, defining it as a psychological genre.
Tags
horror · gothic · supernatural · fiction · short story · psychological · thriller · suspense · dark · macabre · grim · eerie