John Mortonson's Funeral
John Mortonson's Funeral is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1899. The story follows the funeral of John Mortonson, a wealthy and well-respected man in his community. Despite his wealth and social status, Mortonson's funeral is attended by only a handful of people, including his wife, daughter, and a hired mourner. As the funeral proceeds, the characters reflect on Mortonson's life and legacy, revealing their own personal struggles and regrets. The story raises questions about the nature of death and the impact it has on those left behind.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1890 · Genre: Short Story, Horror, Gothic · 600 words
First lines
JOHN MORTONSON was dead: his lines in "the tragedy ‘Man" had all been spoken and he had left the stage.
The body rested in a fine mahogany coffin fitted with a plate of glass.
What this Textopian page supports
John Mortonson's Funeral is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Horror, Gothic, Supernatural
- Length: 600 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for John Mortonson's Funeral by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering John Mortonson's Funeral?
- 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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Genres
- Short Story — The book is a brief work of fiction, concentrating on a singular theme and concise in character and plot development. This aligns with characteristics of a short story.
- Horror — The book revolves around a burial ceremony with eerie, grim and haunting details inspiring fear in the reader, fitting within the horror genre.
- Gothic — The narrative includes elements of the dark, grotesque and mysterious, typical of the gothic genre.
- Supernatural — The narrative delves into unexplained and unnatural events, suggesting a alignment with the supernatural genre.
Tags
gothic fiction · horror · supernatural · mystery · thriller · death · funeral · grief · loss · suspense · tragedy · violence