On the Platform by Ambrose Bierce
ON THE PLATFORM is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1890. The story follows a man who, after being left behind by his train, finds himself on a platform with no way to get back to his destination. As he waits for help, he observes the people around him and reflects on their lives, leading him to question the nature of humanity. What would you like to know next?
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1893 · Genre: Short Stories, Satire, Humor · 225 words
First lines
When Dr. Bill Bartlett stepped out of the hum Of Mammon's distracting and wearisome strife To stand and deliver a lecture on "Some Conditions of Intellectual Life," I cursed the offender who gave him the hall To lecture on any conditions at all!
But he rose with a fire divine in his eye, Haranguing with endless abundance of breath, Till I slept; and I dreamed of a gibbet reared high, And Dr. Bill Bartlett was dressing for death.
And I thought in my dream: "These conditions, no doubt, Are bad for the life he was talking about."
What this Textopian page supports
On the Platform is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1893 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: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Satire, Humor, Fiction
- Length: 225 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for On the Platform 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 On the Platform?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Stories first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Short Stories — The book is a collection of short stories and sketches.
- Satire — The author, Ambrose Bierce, is renowned for his satirical writing and biting wit.
- Humor — The stories contained in the book often use humor and absurdity as a literary tool.
- Fiction — The stories and characters in the book are invented and not based on real events or people.
Tags
horror · thriller · mystery · gothic · supernatural · psychological · suspense · violence · death · trauma · loss · grief