Llewellen Powell by Ambrose Bierce
The book "Llewellyn Powell" by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of identity, morality, and the human condition. The protagonist, Llewellyn Powell, is a man who has lost his memory and identity after a severe head injury. As he tries to piece together his past, he discovers that his life was marked by questionable moral choices and a lack of empathy for others. Through Powell's journey, Bierce raises important questions about the nature of humanity and the consequences of our actions.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1879 · Genre: Fiction, Drama, Historical · 529 words
First lines
Villain, when the word is spoken, And your chains at last are broken When the gibbet's chilling shade Ceases darkly to enfold you, And the angel who enrolled you As a master of the trade Of assassination sadly Blots the record he has made, And your name and title paints In the calendar of saints; When the devils, dancing madly In the midmost Hell, are very Multitudinously merry -- Then beware, beware, beware! -- Nemesis is everywhere! You shall hear her at your back, And, your hunted visage turning, Fancy that her eyes are burning Like a tiger's on your track! You shall hear her in the breeze Whispering to summer trees.
What this Textopian page supports
Llewellen Powell 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: Fiction, Drama, Historical
- Length: 529 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Llewellen Powell 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 Llewellen Powell?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Following Pair by Ambrose Bierce
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- For Merit by Ambrose Bierce
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Genres
- Fiction — Ambrose Bierce is a notable writer in the fiction genre, and Llewellyn Powell is written with Bierce's customary fiction style.
- Drama — Elements of drama are seen throughout Llewellyn Powell as characters face conflict and tension.
- Historical — The setting and theme of Llewellyn Powell are influenced by historical events and contexts, making it fall under the historical genre.
Tags
gothic fiction · horror · supernatural · mystery · thriller · suspense · literary fiction · american literature · 19th century literature · classic novel · psychological horror · haunting