A Resumed Identity by Ambrose Bierce
"A Resumed Identity" is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1893. The story follows a man who has lost his memory and identity after being struck by a severe illness. He finds himself in a small town where he is taken in by a kind-hearted woman, who helps him recover his health and identity. However, as he regains his memories, he realizes that his past life was not as innocent as he had believed, and he must confront the consequences of his actions. The story explores themes of identity, memory, and redemption, and is a classic example of Bierce's dark humor and psychological insight.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1876 · Genre: Short Story, Mystery, Suspense · 3 chapters · 2,313 words
First lines
ONE summer night a man stood on a low hill overlooking a wide expanse of forest and field. By the full moon hanging low in the west he knew what he might not have known otherwise: that it was near the hour of dawn. A
light mist lay along the earth, partly veiling the lower features of the landscape, but above it the taller trees showed in well-defined masses against a clear sky. Two or three farmhouses were visible through the haze, but in none of them, naturally, was a light. Nowhere, indeed, was any sign or suggestion of life except the barking of a distant dog, which, repeated with mechanical iteration, served rather to accentuate than dispel the loneliness of the scene.
What this Textopian page supports
A Resumed Identity is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1876 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: 1876 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological
- Length: 2,313 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 43 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Resumed Identity by Ambrose Bierce
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Short Story — The book is an example of a short narrative that is designed to be quickly understood and interpreted.
- Mystery — The book has elements of intrigue and suspense, typical of mystery genre.
- Suspense — The protagonist's suspenseful journey to discovering their own identity eschews this genre.
- Psychological — The story deals with personal identity and memory, both core subjects of psychological studies.
Tags
mystery · thriller · detective · crime · fiction · literature · classic · american · gothic · horror · supernatural · psychological
Contents
- THE REVIEW AS A FORM OF WELCOME
- WHEN YOU HAVE LOST YOUR LIFE CONSULT A PHYSICIAN
- THE DANGER OF LOOKING INTO A POOL OF WATER