T.A.H by Ambrose Bierce (1890)
The Tale of the Ashes (T.A.H) by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that follows a man named William as he recounts his experiences during the Civil War. After being captured and paroled, William returns home to find that his wife has died and his plantation has been destroyed. The story explores themes of loss, grief, and the devastating effects of war on individuals and society.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1890 · Genre: Satire, Short Story, Humor · 303 words
First lines
Yes, he was that, or that, as you prefer -- Did so and so, though, faith, it wasn't all; Lived like a fool, or a philosopher.
And had whatever's needful for a fall.
What this Textopian page supports
T.A.H 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: Satire, Short Story, Humor
- Length: 303 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for T.A.H 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 T.A.H?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is known for his sardonic and sometimes dark satire. The short story 'T.A.H' is a satire poking fun at society and human nature.
- Short Story — 'T.A.H' is a short account, a narrative tale, therefore qualifying as a Short Story.
- Humor — While Bierce's humor is darker and more sardonic than slapstick or light-hearted humor, 'T.A.H' does fall under the genre of humor due to its satirical nature.
Tags
gothic · horror · fantasy · supernatural · mystery · thriller · suspense · literary fiction · classic · american literature · short stories · dark humor