The Hermit by Ambrose Bierce (1899)
The Hermit by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that follows the journey of an unnamed narrator who visits an old hermit living in a remote cabin. The hermit is revealed to be a former soldier who has retreated from society due to the trauma he experienced during the Civil War. Through their conversation, the narrator learns about the hermit's past and his struggles with solitude, leading to a poignant and thought-provoking conclusion.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Short Stories, Horror, Psychological Fiction · 285 words
First lines
To a hunter from the city, Overtaken by the night, Spake, in tones of tender pity For himself, an aged wight:
"I have found the world a fountain Of deceit and Life a sham.
I have taken to the mountain And a Holy Hermit am.
"Sternly bent on Contemplation, Far apart from human kind In the hill my habitation, In the Infinite my mind.
What this Textopian page supports
The Hermit is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1899 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: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Horror, Psychological Fiction, Gothic Fiction
- Length: 285 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hermit by Ambrose Bierce
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- 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 Hermit?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
- A Growler by Ambrose Bierce
- The Unpardonable Sin by Ambrose Bierce
- An Inscription by Ambrose Bierce
- A Bad Night by Ambrose Bierce
- A Man by Ambrose Bierce
- A Challenge by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short Stories — This work is a part of collection of short stories by Ambrose Bierce, hence it is considered as part of this genre.
- Horror — Ambrose Bierce is known for his horror stories and The Hermit is a story with dark and fearsome elements about death and afterlife.
- Psychological Fiction — The story deals with elements of the human psyche, insanity, and the human condition, hence it fits into the genre of Psychological Fiction.
- Gothic Fiction — The atmosphere of the story is characterized by mystery and horror which is a hallmark of Gothic Fiction.
Tags
gothic · horror · supernatural · mystery · thriller · suspense · fiction · short story · classic · literature · american literature · 19th century literature