The Stranger by Ambrose Bierce
THE STRANGE by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that follows the journey of a man who seeks to uncover the truth about his wife's death. The narrator, a doctor, recounts the events leading up to his wife's demise and the strange occurrences that follow. Throughout the story, Bierce employs an eerie and suspenseful tone, keeping the reader on edge as they try to unravel the mystery alongside the protagonist. The story raises questions about the nature of reality and the power of the human mind, leaving the reader with a sense of unease long after finishing the tale.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1896 · Genre: Short Story, Satire, Horror · 2,300 words
First lines
A MAN stepped out of the darkness into the little illuminated circle about our failing campfire and seated himself upon a rock.
"You are not the first to explore this region," he said, gravely.
What this Textopian page supports
The Stranger is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1896 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: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Satire, Horror
- Length: 2,300 words
- Structure: 1 section, 52 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Stranger 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 Stranger?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Story first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- A Black List by Ambrose Bierce
- One Morning by Ambrose Bierce
- Detected by Ambrose Bierce
- Discretion by Ambrose Bierce
- Four Of A Kind by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short Story — The Stranger is a short work by Ambrose Bierce, known for his short fiction works.
- Satire — Many of Bierce's works, including 'The Stranger', use satirical elements to mock human nature and society.
- Horror — Bierce's works often incorporate elements of the supernatural and the unknown, making this book partially fall into the horror genre.
Tags
mystery · thriller · horror · gothic · supernatural · psychological · suspense · detective · crime · noir · dark · macabre