A Spade by Ambrose Bierce (1899)
A SPade by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that follows the journey of an unnamed narrator who stumbles upon a mysterious man with a spade. The man is revealed to be a grave robber, and the narrator becomes entangled in his schemes. As the narrator delves deeper into the man's world, he discovers the dark underbelly of society and the morbid fascination people have with death. The story is known for its eerie atmosphere and themes of mortality, morbidity, and the human fascination with death. Bierce's writing style is concise and direct, creating a sense of unease and tension throughout the narrative. The use of symbolism, such as the spade, adds an extra layer of depth to the story, making it a thought-provoking and unsettling read.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Short Stories, Satire, Horror · 301 words
First lines
[The spade that was used to turn the first sod in the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad is to be exhibited at the New Orleans Exposition. -- "Press Telegram".]
Precursor of our woes, historic spade, What dismal records burn upon thy blade! On thee I see the maculating stains Of passengers' commingled blood and brains.
What this Textopian page supports
A Spade is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1899 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: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Satire, Horror, Historical
- Length: 301 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Spade by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Spade?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Stories first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Something In The Papers by Ambrose Bierce
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Genres
- Short Stories — The book is a compilation of brief, self-contained stories.
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is well-known for his bitter wit and satirical writing style.
- Horror — Some of the stories in the collection have dark and creepy elements.
- Historical — Several of the stories are set in historical contexts.
Tags
mystery · thriller · detective · crime · fiction · literature · classic · american · gothic · horror · supernatural · suspense