In the Binnacle by Ambrose Bierce
IN THE BINNACLE by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that follows the journey of a man who finds himself lost at sea after his ship sinks. The story explores themes of survival, isolation, and the human psyche as the protagonist struggles to come to terms with his fate.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Short Story, Science Fiction, Philosophical · 193 words
First lines
[The Church possesses the unerring compass whose needle points directly / and persistently to the star of the eternal law of God. -- "Religious / Weekly."]
The Church's compass, if you please, / Has two or three (or more) degrees / Of variation; / And many a soul has gone to grief / On this or that or t'other reef / Through faith unreckoning or brief / Miscalculation.
Misguidance is of perils chief / To navigation.
The obsequious thing makes, too, you'll mark, / Obeisance through a little arc / Of declination; / For Satan, fearing witches, drew / From Death's pale horse, one day, a shoe, / And nailed it to his door to undo / Their machination.
What this Textopian page supports
In the Binnacle 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 Story, Science Fiction, Philosophical, Satire
- Length: 193 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for In the Binnacle 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
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Genres
- Short Story — As proffered by Ambrose Bierce, a famous short story writer, 'In the Binnacle' fits the category of a short narrative.
- Science Fiction — The metaphysical questions and thought experiments proposed within the narrative can classify it as science fiction.
- Philosophical — Bierce's works are often known for their philosophical undertones, engaging readers in the questions and theories of existence.
- Satire — The book addresses human nature and institutional criticisms with a satirical tone, thus falling under this category.
Tags
ghost story · nautical theme · supernatural · mystery · thriller · adventure · fiction · classic literature · american literature · short story · horror · suspense