The Valley of the Shadow of Theft
The Valley of the Shadow of Death is a novella by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1899. It tells the story of an unnamed narrator who travels to a remote valley in search of his missing friend, only to find himself caught up in a series of eerie and supernatural events. The novella explores themes of death, loss, and the unknown, and is known for its vivid imagery and suspenseful plot.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Satire, Historical Fiction, Crime · 246 words
First lines
In fair Yosemite, that den of thieves Wherein the minions of the moon divide The travelers' purses, lo! the Devil grieves, His larger share as leader still denied.
El Capitan, foreseeing that "his" reign May be disputed too, beclouds his head.
The joyous Bridal Veil is torn in twain And the crêpe steamer dangles there instead.
The Vernal Fall abates her pleasant speed And hesitates to take the final plunge, For rumors reach her that another greed Awaits her in the Valley of the Sponge.
What this Textopian page supports
The Valley of the Shadow of Theft 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: Satire, Historical Fiction, Crime, Mystery, Horror
- Length: 246 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Valley of the Shadow of Theft 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 Valley of the Shadow of Theft?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Indicted by Ambrose Bierce
- A Black List by Ambrose Bierce
- The Penitent Thief by Ambrose Bierce
- The Bosss Choice by Ambrose Bierce
- An Arrest by Ambrose Bierce
- One Morning by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is known for his satirical works, therefore it is likely this book employs this style.
- Historical Fiction — Bierce's works often involve historical settings, and the title's reference to a 'valley' suggests a particular location in history.
- Crime — The use of 'theft' in the title suggests themes of crime.
- Mystery — The title suggests an exploration of unknown or dangerous territories, indicative of the mystery genre.
Tags
mystery · thriller · detective · crime · fiction · literature · classic · american · gothic · horror · supernatural · noir