A Promised Fast Train
"A Promised Fast Train" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1893. The story follows the journey of a man named John, who boards a train that promises to take him to his destination at an incredible speed. However, as the train travels, John realizes that something is not quite right. The train seems to be moving at an alarming rate, and John begins to feel a sense of unease. As he tries to make sense of what is happening, the train suddenly disappears, leaving John alone and lost in the wilderness. The story explores themes of technology, progress, and the consequences of playing with forces beyond our control."
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1890 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction · 181 words
First lines
I turned my eyes upon the Future's scroll And saw its pictured prophecies unroll.
I saw that magical life-laden train Flash its long glories o'er Nebraska's plain.
I saw it smoothly up the mountain glide. "O happy, happy passengers!" I cried.
For Pleasure, singing, drowned the engine's roar, And Hope on joyous pinions flew before.
What this Textopian page supports
A Promised Fast Train is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Drama, Thriller
- Length: 181 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Promised Fast Train 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 Promised Fast Train?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Saint And The Monk by Ambrose Bierce
- The Poets Doom by Ambrose Bierce
- An Inflated Ambition by Ambrose Bierce
- The Brothers by Ambrose Bierce
- Philosophers Three by Ambrose Bierce
- A Forfeited Right by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Science Fiction — The title suggests a concept of advanced technology, which is a common theme in science fiction.
- Adventure — Trains are often used as settings or symbols for journeys or adventures.
- Historical Fiction — Trains are iconic symbols of certain historical periods, suggesting historical fiction if it's set in such a period.
- Drama — The promise in the title could indicate a dramatic plot or conflict.
Tags
gothic · horror · supernatural · mystery · thriller · fiction · literary · american · classic · short-story · irony · symbolism