The Weather Wight by Ambrose Bierce
The story follows a man named Claverhouse, who has been hired to find and bring back a mysterious woman known only as the "Weather Witch." The woman is said to have the power to control the weather, and Claverhouse is tasked with capturing her and bringing her back to his employer. As Claverhouse searches for the Weather Witch, he encounters various obstacles and challenges, including treacherous terrain, hostile locals, and his own doubts and fears. Despite these challenges, he remains determined to find and capture the elusive woman. Throughout the story, Bierce explores themes of power, control, and the consequences of playing with forces beyond human understanding. The Weather Witch is a classic tale of suspense and intrigue, with a twist ending that will leave readers guessing until the very end.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1893 · Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller · 897 words
First lines
The way was long, the hill was steep, My footing scarcely I could keep.
The night enshrouded me in gloom, I heard the ocean's distant boom --
What this Textopian page supports
The Weather Wight is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Supernatural, Science Fiction
- Length: 897 words
- Structure: 1 section, 47 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Weather Wight 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 Weather Wight?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Horror — The story presents supernatural occurrences and mind-disturbing sequences common in the horror genre, as the main character interacts with elements beyond standard human understanding or explanation.
- Mystery — The plot line follows cryptic and obscure narratives, odd characters, and perplexing situations typical of the mystery genre, as the main protagonist finds herself wrapped up in the inexplicable weather changes.
- Thriller — The book includes thrilling scenes, suspense, and unexpected turns often seen in the Thriller genre. The protagonist's efforts to uncover the truth about the weather phenomena create tension-filled moments.
- Supernatural — Elements of the supernatural appear in the book through the weather phenomena controlled by an unknown entity, a common theme in the supernatural genre.
Tags
gothic fiction · supernatural horror · mystery · thriller · fantasy · magical realism · surrealism · symbolism · psychological horror · literary fiction · classic literature · American literature