A Wreath of Immortelles
A Wreath of Immortelles by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The narrator, who is also the protagonist, is a man who has been invited to a party hosted by a mysterious woman known only as "The Lady." As he arrives at the party, he notices that all of the guests are wearing black and carrying wreaths of immortelles, which are small, white flowers that symbolize death. Despite the somber atmosphere, the narrator is drawn into a lively conversation with The Lady and her guests, who are all dressed in mourning attire. As the night wears on, the narrator becomes increasingly uncomfortable and begins to suspect that something sinister is afoot. In the end, the narrator discovers that The Lady is actually a vampire, and that the party is a trap for unsuspecting victims. The story ends with the narrator narrowly escaping death and reflecting on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. Overall, A Wreath of Immortelles is a dark and thought-provoking tale that explores themes of mortality, morbidity, and the human condition.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Short Stories, Horror, Mystery · 2,087 words
First lines
LORING PICKERING
"(After Pope)"
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A Wreath of Immortelles 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, Horror, Mystery, Historical Fiction, War
- Length: 2,087 words
- Structure: 1 section, 76 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
- One Of The Redeemed by Ambrose Bierce
- In Memoriam by Ambrose Bierce
- Tidings Of Good by Ambrose Bierce
- A Dampened Ardor by Ambrose Bierce
- Present At A Hanging by Ambrose Bierce
- Consolation by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short Stories — This book is a compilation of some of Bierce's most famous short stories.
- Horror — A considerable number of the short stories in the collection delve into themes of death, terror and the supernatural, which tie into the Horror genre.
- Mystery — Many of the short tales in the book revolve around mysterious circumstances or events, fitting in with the Mystery genre.
- Historical Fiction — Several stories in the book are set during the American Civil War, a significant historical event, thus classifying it as Historical Fiction.
Tags
gothic fiction · supernatural horror · mystery · thriller · death · immortality · flowers · wreath · poetry · symbolism · irony · tragedy