The Hypnotist by Ambrose Bierce
THE HYPNOTIST by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the themes of control, manipulation, and the blurring of reality. The protagonist, a hypnotist, uses his skills to manipulate the thoughts and actions of those around him, leading to a climactic confrontation with a mysterious figure known only as "The Other." Can I help you with anything else?
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1897 · Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Psychological Thriller · 1,829 words
First lines
By those of my friends who happen to know that I sometimes amuse myself with hypnotism, mind reading and kindred phenomena, I am frequently asked if I have a clear conception of the nature of whatever principle underlies them. To this question I always reply that I neither have nor desire to have. I am no investigator with an ear at the key-hole of Nature's workshop, trying with vulgar curiosity to steal the secrets of her trade. The interests of science are as little to me as mine seem to have been to science.
What this Textopian page supports
The Hypnotist is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1897 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: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Suspense, Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Horror, Fantasy
- Length: 1,829 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hypnotist by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Hypnotist?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Suspense first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Fate by Ambrose Bierce
- Vice Versa by Ambrose Bierce
- Beyond The Wall by Ambrose Bierce
- T A H by Ambrose Bierce
- Presentiment by Ambrose Bierce
- The Man And The Lightning by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Suspense — The book delivers a gripping narrative, holding the reader's attention through elements of suspense.
- Mystery — The plot revolves around unsolved questions and events, characteristic of the mystery genre.
- Psychological Thriller — The hypnotist's craft plays with the characters' minds, thus entering the realm of psychological thrillers.
- Horror — Bierce’s writing style includes grim, eerie and chilling elements, common in the horror genre.
Tags
mystery · thriller · suspense · hypnosis · psychology · mind control · supernatural · horror · gothic · victorian · literary fiction · classic