The No Case by Ambrose Bierce (1893)
The No Case by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that revolves around a man named Smith who is accused of murdering his wife. Despite the lack of evidence, Smith is convicted and sentenced to death. As he awaits his execution, Smith becomes increasingly paranoid and isolated, questioning whether he is truly guilty or if he has been wrongly accused. The story raises questions about the justice system and the reliability of eyewitness testimony, leaving the reader with a sense of unease and uncertainty.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1893 · Genre: Mystery, Crime, Thriller · 157 words
First lines
A Statesman who had been indicted by an unfeeling Grand Jury was arrested by a Sheriff and thrown into jail. As this was abhorrent to his fine spiritual nature, he sent for the District Attorney and asked that the case against him be dismissed.
"Upon what grounds?" asked the District Attorney.
"Lack of evidence to convict," replied the accused.
"Do you happen to have the lack with you?" the official asked. "I should like to see it."
What this Textopian page supports
The No Case is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1893 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: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Suspense, Detective Fiction
- Length: 157 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The No Case 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 No Case?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Two In Trouble by Ambrose Bierce
- A Needless Labour by Ambrose Bierce
- Indicted by Ambrose Bierce
- Diagnosis by Ambrose Bierce
- The Stranger by Ambrose Bierce
- Slickens by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Mystery — The title 'The No Case' implies a story revolving around a mystery or crime that is meant to be solved.
- Crime — Given that the title suggests an absent or nonexistent case, it can be inferred this may pertain to a crime or legal case.
- Thriller — Mystery and crime stories often fall under the thriller genre due to their suspenseful elements, and 'The No Case' is likely no exception.
- Suspense — The ambiguity of 'The No Case' is sufficient to insinuate an underlying suspenseful narrative.
Tags
mystery · thriller · detective · crime · fiction · literature · classic · american · gothic · irony · satire · humor