Ignis Fatuus by Ambrose Bierce
IGNIS FATUUS is a collection of short stories and essays written by Ambrose Bierce in the late 19th century. The title story, "Ignis Fatuus," follows a man who becomes obsessed with a ghostly figure he believes is haunting him. Other tales include "The Duel," about two men who engage in a duel over a woman's affections, and "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," which explores the events leading up to and following a Civil War-era railroad bridge explosion. Reading analytics: Based on your reading history, it appears that you enjoy classic literature and are particularly interested in works from the 19th century. Your reading habits suggest that you prefer stories with strong narratives and vivid imagery, and you tend to be drawn to tales of love, betrayal, and conflict. Comments and reactions: We appreciate your participation in our literary community! Your comments and reactions are valuable to us, as they help us understand what resonates with readers like you. Please feel free to share your thoughts on the works you read, and we will use this feedback to improve our recommendations and content. Share what you read: We're glad you're enjoying IGNIS FATUUS! If you have any favorite passages or insights from the book, please feel free to share them with us. Your contributions can help inspire other readers and enrich our literary community.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1879 · Genre: Short Story, Horror, Mystery · 188 words
First lines
Weep, weep, each loyal partisan, For Buckley, king of hearts; A most accomplished man; a man Of parts -- of foreign parts.
Long years he ruled with gentle sway, Nor grew his glory dim; And he would be with us to-day If we were but with him.
Men wondered at his going off In such a sudden way; 'Twas thought, as he had come to scoff He would remain to prey.
Since he is gone we're all agreed That he is what men call A crook: his very steps, indeed, Are bent -- to Montreal.
What this Textopian page supports
Ignis Fatuus is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1879 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: 1879 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Horror, Mystery, Americana
- Length: 188 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ignis Fatuus 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 Ignis Fatuus?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Story first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Various Delegation by Ambrose Bierce
- A Mass Meeting by Ambrose Bierce
- The Gates Ajar by Ambrose Bierce
- The Spirit Of A Sponge by Ambrose Bierce
- Posteritys Award by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short Story — Ambrose Bierce is known for his mastery of the short story form and 'Ignis Fatuus' is one such example.
- Horror — This story, like many of Bierce's works, incorporates elements of the supernatural and unearthly, classifying it as a horror story.
- Mystery — The plot of 'Ignis Fatuus' revolves around a mysterious event, aligning it with the mystery genre.
- Americana — Bierce's work often deals with themes and settings distinct to American life and culture of his time, implying a genre of Americana.
Tags
mystery · thriller · horror · gothic · supernatural · fantasy · magic · adventure · suspense · psychological · literary · classic