At the Eleventh Hour
"The Eleventh Hour" is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1893. The story follows a man named Smith, who is on his deathbed and reflects on his life. As he does so, he realizes that he has wasted his life and missed out on many opportunities for happiness. In the end, he dies with a sense of regret and disappointment. The story explores themes of mortality, regret, and the importance of living in the present moment. Bierce's writing is concise and direct, making the story both haunting and thought-provoking.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Horror, Short Stories · 274 words
First lines
As through the blue expanse he skims On joyous wings, the late Frank Hutchings overtakes Miss Sims, Both bound for Heaven's high gate.
In life they loved and (God knows why A lover so should sue) He slew her, on the gallows high Died pious -- and they flew.
Her pinions were bedraggled, soiled And torn as by a gale, While his were bright -- all freshly oiled The feathers of his tail.
Her visage, too, was stained and worn And menacing and grim; His sweet and mild -- you would have sworn That "she" had murdered "him".
What this Textopian page supports
At the Eleventh Hour is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1898 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: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Horror, Short Stories, War
- Length: 274 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for At the Eleventh Hour 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 At the Eleventh Hour?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Life Saver by Ambrose Bierce
- Physicians Two by Ambrose Bierce
- Liberty by Ambrose Bierce
- For Merit by Ambrose Bierce
- Ornithanthropos by Ambrose Bierce
- Codex Honoris by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Historical Fiction — Ambrose Bierce often writes historical fiction, recreating time periods and events in detail.
- Horror — Many of Bierce's works involve elements of the supernatural and horrific, suggesting that this may be a prevalent theme.
- Short Stories — Ambrose Bierce is known for his short stories, so it's possible that this book is a collection of them.
- War — Bierce's experiences in the Civil War often influence his writing, so the book might center on this theme.
Tags
ghost story · supernatural · mystery · thriller · horror · suspense · fiction · literary fiction · classic · vintage · 19th century · american literature