The Shadow on the Dial

Name: The Shadow on the Dial
Author: Ambrose Bierce

The Shadow on the Dial by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores themes of time, mortality, and the human condition. The narrator, a man who has been bedridden for several days with a severe cold, becomes increasingly obsessed with a shadowy figure he sees on his watch dial. As the story progresses, the narrator's fixation on the shadow grows, leading him to question the nature of time and his own place in it. Ultimately, the story raises questions about the meaning of life and death, and the ways in which humans attempt to make sense of their existence.

By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Science Fiction, Horror, Suspense · 5 chapters · 9,067 words

First lines

THERE is a deal of confusion and uncertainty in the use of the words "Socialist," "Anarchist," and "Nihilist." Even the '1st himself commonly knows with as little accuracy what he is as the rest of us know why he is. The Socialist believes that most human affairs should be regulated and managed by the State -- the Government -- that is to say, the majority. Our own system has many Socialistic features and the trend of republican government is all that way. The Anarchist is the kind of lunatic who believes that all crime is the effect of laws forbidding it -- as the pig that breaks into the kitchen garden is created by the dog that chews its ear! The Anarchist favors abolition of all law and frequently belongs to an organization that secures his allegiance by solemn oaths and dreadful penalties.

What this Textopian page supports

The Shadow on the Dial 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: Science Fiction, Horror, Suspense, Mystery, Short Stories
Length: 9,067 words
Structure: 5 chapters, 64 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Work identity for The Shadow on the Dial by Ambrose Bierce
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Science Fiction — The book contains elements of advanced technology and scientific speculation, exhibited through its concept of time manipulation.
Horror — The book features elements of fear and the supernatural, given its depiction of ghostly occurrences and eerie settings.
Suspense — The author frequently builds tension and suspense through the many unexpected events and cliffhangers in the story.
Mystery — The book unfolds with various enigmas and puzzles that the protagonists must understand or solve.