The Devoted Widow by Ambrose Bierce
The Devoted Widow is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1893. It follows the life of a widow named Mrs. Sands, who becomes obsessed with the idea of being buried alive after her husband's death. Despite the warnings of her friends and family, Mrs. Sands insists on being interred in a coffin with a bell attached to it, so that she can signal for help if she is accidentally buried alive. However, when the time comes for her funeral, the bell remains silent, leading Mrs. Sands' loved ones to believe that she has passed away peacefully. The story raises questions about the nature of death and the fears that people have about being buried alive.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1879 · Genre: Short Stories, Historical, Tragic Comedy · 115 words
First lines
A Widow weeping on her husband's grave was approached by an Engaging
Gentleman who, in a respectful manner, assured her that he had long entertained for her the most tender feelings.
"Wretch!" cried the Widow. "Leave me this instant. Is this a time to talk to me of love?"
"I assure you, madam, that I had not intended to disclose my affection,"
What this Textopian page supports
The Devoted Widow is listed on Textopian as a fable 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: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1879 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Historical, Tragic Comedy, Satire
- Length: 115 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Devoted Widow 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 Devoted Widow?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Stories first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Mourning Brothers by Ambrose Bierce
- The Spook House by Ambrose Bierce
- Francine by Ambrose Bierce
- A Morning Fancy by Ambrose Bierce
- Sires And Sons by Ambrose Bierce
- To The Bartholdi Statue by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short Stories — Ambrose Bierce is known for his bite-sized works, and 'The Devoted Widow' is no exception. It's inclusive nature allows for a single, condensed narrative.
- Historical — The narrative is set in a historical context, reflecting the societal norms and conditions of the period.
- Tragic Comedy — The story shares themes of both tragedy and comedy. The circumstances surrounding the widow are unquestionably tragic, but the irony and sarcasm throughout the narrative offer a comedic edge.
- Satire — Bierce's sardonic wit and tendency to criticise societal norms are on display in 'The Devoted Widow', making it fit into the genre of satire.
Tags
gothic fiction · supernatural horror · mystery · thriller · suspense · romance · tragedy · family drama · psychological horror · literary fiction · classic literature · American literature