The Angel's Tear by Ambrose Bierce
The Angel's Tear is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1893. The story follows a man who, after losing his wife and child, becomes obsessed with finding the angel who cried tears that healed his dead loved ones. Despite his efforts, the angel remains elusive, leading the man to question the nature of grief and the possibility of true healing. Through the use of symbolism and imagery, Bierce explores the themes of loss, longing, and the human desire for closure.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1893 · Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery · 127 words
First lines
An Unworthy Man who had laughed at the woes of a Woman whom he loved, was bewailing his indiscretion in sack-cloth-of-gold and ashes-of-roses, when the Angel of Compassion looked down upon him, saying:
"Poor mortal! -- how unblest not to know the wickedness of laughing at another's misfortune!"
So saying, he let fall a great tear, which, encountering in its descent a current of cold air, was congealed into a hail-stone. This struck the Unworthy Man on the head and set him rubbing that bruised organ vigorously with one hand while vainly attempting to expand an umbrella with the other.
Thereat the Angel of Compassion did most shamelessly and wickedly laugh.
What this Textopian page supports
The Angel's Tear is listed on Textopian as a fable 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: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller, Horror
- Length: 127 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Angel's Tear 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 The Angel's Tear?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Spook House by Ambrose Bierce
- The Following Pair by Ambrose Bierce
- Azrael by Ambrose Bierce
- Laus Lucis by Ambrose Bierce
- The Retrospective Bird by Ambrose Bierce
- The Shadow On The Dial by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Fiction — The Angel's Tear is a work of imaginative narrative, hence part of Fiction.
- Fantasy — The theme of angels and supernatural elements categorizes it in Fantasy.
- Mystery — The story possesses mysterious elements that fit the Mystery genre.
- Thriller — Due to the element of suspense and exciting plot, it can also be categorized as a Thriller.
Tags
gothic fiction · supernatural horror · mystery · thriller · fantasy · magical realism · dark fantasy · paranormal · psychological horror · literary fiction · classic literature · American literature