The Last Man by Ambrose Bierce
The Last Man by Ambrose Bierce is a post-apocalyptic novel that follows the story of a man named Abel, who is one of the last survivors of a worldwide plague that has wiped out all life on Earth. The novel explores themes of loneliness, despair, and the human condition in the face of extinction. Abel wanders the barren landscape, searching for any sign of life or hope, but finds none. He is left alone to contemplate his own mortality and the meaninglessness of existence in a world without other living beings. The novel ends with Abel's death, leaving the reader with a sense of hopelessness and despair. Overall, The Last Man is a haunting and thought-provoking work that explores the darker aspects of human nature and the fragility of life in the face of catastrophic events.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Horror · 510 words
First lines
I dreamed that Gabriel took his horn On Resurrection's fateful morn, And lighting upon Laurel Hill Blew long, blew loud, blew high and shrill.
The houses compassing the ground Rattled their windows at the sound.
What this Textopian page supports
The Last Man is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1898 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: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Horror, Adventure, Speculative Fiction
- Length: 510 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Last Man 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 Last Man?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The main theme of 'The Last Man' evolves around the notion of the last human alive, a profound concept usually associated with post-apocalyptic and dystopian narratives often found in science fiction.
- Dystopian — The story envisages a world decimated by an unknown disaster, yet another characteristic of typically dystopian narratives.
- Horror — Given Bierce's propensity for the macabre and his distinctively eerie descriptions which instil a sense of dread, horror could well be associated with the book.
- Adventure — The protagonist's journey across the decimated world, dealing with the perils of a solitary existence, also has elements of an adventure story.
Tags
Dystopian · Apocalyptic · Science Fiction · Futuristic · Post-apocalyptic · Survival · Human Nature · Society · Culture · Technology · Future · Utopia