Dead and "Gone" by Ambrose Bierce
The story revolves around a man who dies and finds himself in the afterlife, where he encounters various individuals from his past life. He witnesses their interactions with each other and with him, revealing their true nature and motivations. The narrative explores themes of morality, guilt, and redemption as the protagonist navigates this new realm.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1870 · Genre: Horror, Mystery, Gothic Fiction · 529 words
First lines
On the morning of the 14th day of August, 1872, George J. Reid, a young man of twenty-one years, living at Xenia, O., fell while walking across the dining room in his father's house. The family consisted of his father, mother, two sisters, and a cousin, a boy of fifteen. All were present at the breakfast table. George entered the room, but instead of taking his accustomed seat near the door by which he had entered, passed it and went obliquely toward one of the windows -- with what purpose no one knows. He had passed the table but a few steps when he fell heavily to the floor and did not again breathe. The body was carried into a bedroom and, after vain efforts at resuscitation by the stricken family, left lying on the bed with composed limbs and covered face.
What this Textopian page supports
Dead and "Gone" is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1870 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: 1870 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Gothic Fiction, Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 529 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Dead and "Gone" 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 Dead and "Gone"?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
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- The Haunted Dolls House by M. R. James
Genres
- Horror — The story evokes fear and suspense through the mysterious death and the inexplicable disappearance of the body.
- Mystery — The narrative centers around an unexplained event that prompts investigation and speculation.
- Gothic Fiction — The themes of death, the supernatural, and the eerie atmosphere align with Gothic conventions.
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes and character emotions, focusing on the human experience of loss.
Tags
Dark Fantasy · Supernatural Fiction · Gothic Horror · Mystery · Thriller · Paranormal · Occult · Death · Afterlife · Reincarnation · Spiritualism · Psychological Thriller