An Antidote by Ambrose Bierce (1872)
"An Antidote" by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of death and the afterlife. The narrator, who is also the protagonist, finds himself in a strange and unfamiliar place after dying, surrounded by other souls who are also trying to make sense of their new existence. As they navigate this strange realm, they begin to realize that death may not be the end, but rather a transformation into something else entirely. Through the use of vivid imagery and symbolism, Bierce creates a haunting and thought-provoking tale that challenges the reader's perceptions of mortality and the afterlife.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1872 · Genre: Short Stories, Fiction, Satire · 89 words
First lines
A Young Ostrich came to its Mother, groaning with pain and with its wings tightly crossed upon its stomach.
"What have you been eating?" the Mother asked, with solicitude.
"Nothing but a keg of Nails," was the reply.
"What!" exclaimed the Mother; "a whole keg of Nails, at your age. Why, you will kill yourself that way. Go quickly, my child, and swallow a claw-hammer."
What this Textopian page supports
An Antidote is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1872 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1872 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Satire, Horror
- Length: 89 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Antidote 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 An Antidote?
- How does this fable 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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Genres
- Short Stories — The work is a distinct narrative that stands by itself, defining it as a short story.
- Fiction — As a made-up narrative, the book falls solidly under the category of fiction.
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is known for his satirical writing, often criticizing society and customs.
- Horror — Bierce often introduces elements of horror and the macabre into his stories.
Tags
horror · gothic · supernatural · mystery · thriller · fiction · literary · classic · american · 19th century · short stories · dark humor