The Day of Wrath by Ambrose Bierce
The Day of Wrath is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1896. It follows the tale of a man who, after being left alone on a deserted island for years, finally finds a way to escape only to discover that the world has been destroyed in a cataclysmic event known as "The Day of Wrath." The story explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the human desire for connection and understanding.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1871 · Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller · 472 words
First lines
Day of Satan's painful duty! Earth shall vanish, hot and sooty; So says Virtue, so says Beauty.
Ah! what terror shall be shaping When the Judge the truth's undraping! Cats from every bag escaping!
What this Textopian page supports
The Day of Wrath is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1871 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: 1871 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Gothic, Psychological
- Length: 472 words
- Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Day of Wrath 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 The Day of Wrath?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Guest by Ambrose Bierce
- An Example by Ambrose Bierce
- My Monument by Ambrose Bierce
- A Prayer by Ambrose Bierce
- Art by Ambrose Bierce
- To Day by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Horror — The book presents gruesome events and scenes that create an eerie and frightening atmosphere.
- Mystery — The story involves the investigation of unknown elements and events and the gradual unfolding of the mystery.
- Thriller — The narrative is high-paced, involving suspenseful events, impending danger, and high stakes.
- Gothic — The novel includes elements of the gothic genre such as a gloomy and haunting atmosphere.
Tags
horror · fiction · short story · apocalyptic · dystopian · supernatural · gothic · thriller · suspense · mystery · literary fiction · classic