The Difficulty of Crossing a Field
In this short story, Bierce explores the theme of difficulty and perseverance through the narrative of a man attempting to cross a field. Despite encountering various obstacles, including a raging river and a dense forest, the protagonist pushes on, undeterred. Through his determination, he ultimately succeeds in crossing the field, demonstrating the importance of persistence and resilience in the face of adversity.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1891 · Genre: Short Story, Mystery, Horror · 885 words
First lines
"MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE"
ONE morning in July, 1854, a planter named Williamson, living six miles from Selma, Alabama, was sitting with his wife and a child on the veranda of his dwelling. Immediately in front of the house was a lawn, perhaps fifty yards in extent between the house and public road, or, as it was called, the "pike. Beyond this road lay a close-cropped pasture of some ten acres, level and without a tree, rock, or any natural or artificial object on its surface. At the time there was not even a domestic animal in the field. In another field, beyond the pasture, a dozen slaves were at work under an overseer.
What this Textopian page supports
The Difficulty of Crossing a Field is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1891 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: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Mystery, Horror, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction
- Length: 885 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Short Story — The work is a brief piece of prose literature that packs a self-contained narrative within.
- Mystery — The story involves an unexplainable disappearance, creating a sense of suspense and uncertainty.
- Horror — The sinister and inexplicable elements resonate with the horror genre.
- Literary Fiction — A focus on intricate and symbolic narrative rather than plot suggests that it's a piece of literary fiction.
Tags
horror · short story · supernatural · gothic · mystery · thriller · fiction · literature · classic · american literature · 19th century literature · symbolism