The Woman and the Devil
The Woman and the Devil by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores themes of temptation, morality, and the human condition. The story follows a woman who is visited by the devil in the form of a handsome man, who offers her wealth and power in exchange for her soul. The woman is initially hesitant but eventually succumbs to the devil's charms, leading to a tragic and ironic ending. The story is known for its dark humor and satire, as well as its exploration of the human psyche and the nature of evil. Bierce's writing style is concise and direct, which adds to the story's sense of urgency and menace. Overall, The Woman and the Devil is a thought-provoking and unsettling tale that continues to captivate readers to this day.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1873 · Genre: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural · 196 words
First lines
When Man and Woman had been made, All but the disposition, The Devil to the workshop strayed, And somehow gained admission.
The Master rested from his work, For this was on a Sunday, The man was snoring like a Turk, Content to wait till Monday.
"Too bad!" the Woman cried; "Oh, why, Does slumber not benumb me? A disposition! Oh, I die To know if 'twill become me!"
The Adversary said: "No doubt 'Twill be extremely fine, ma'am, Though sure 'tis long to be without -- I beg to lend you mine, ma'am."
What this Textopian page supports
The Woman and the Devil is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1873 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: 1873 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Thriller, Drama
- Length: 196 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Woman and the Devil 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 Woman and the Devil?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Voluptuary by Ambrose Bierce
- A Nightmare by Ambrose Bierce
- To One Detested by Ambrose Bierce
- The House by Arthur Willis Colton
- To Her by Ambrose Bierce
- The Ashes Of Madame Blavatsky by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Horror — The title suggests interactions with supernatural elements, particularly with a presence of the Devil. Ambrose Bierce, as an author, is known for his works in the horror genre
- Mystery — The title implies a degree of conflict or intrigue between two entities, thus potentially invoking elements of a mystery.
- Supernatural — As the title features 'The Devil,' it implies a narrative that involves supernatural themes and elements.
- Thriller — Assuming that the plot involves the character 'The Woman' in confrontation with 'The Devil,' this might generate a suspenseful or thrilling environment.
Tags
horror · supernatural · fantasy · gothic · mystery · thriller · suspense · psychological · dark · macabre · chilling · haunting