Two of the Damned by Ambrose Bierce
Two of the Damned is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1890. The story follows two men, a doctor and a lawyer, who are stranded together on a deserted island after a shipwreck. As they try to survive and find a way off the island, they begin to realize that they are not alone, as they hear strange noises and see ghostly apparitions. The story explores themes of isolation, madness, and the supernatural, as the two men descend into chaos and despair.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Short Stories · 122 words
First lines
Two Blighted Beings, haggard, lachrymose, and detested, met on a blasted heath in the light of a struggling moon.
"I wish you a merry Christmas," said the First Blighted Being, in a voice like that of a singing tomb.
"And I you a happy New Year," responded the Second Blighted Being, with the accent of a penitent accordeon.
They then fell upon each other's neck and wept scalding rills down each other's spine in token of their banishment to the Realm of Ineffable Bosh. For one of these accursed creatures was the First of January, and the other the Twenty-fifth of December.
What this Textopian page supports
Two of the Damned is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Short Stories, War, Historical Fiction
- Length: 122 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Two of the Damned 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 Two of the Damned?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Fallen by Ambrose Bierce
- Lucifer Of The Torch by Ambrose Bierce
- The Man And The Viper by Ambrose Bierce
- A Dream Of Red Hands by Bram Stoker
- The Shrieking Pit by Arthur J. Rees
- Famines Realm by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Horror — Ambrose Bierce's writings often involve dark and terrifying elements, making this book predominantly a horror piece
- Supernatural — Bierce's stories typically delve into the supernatural, with unexplainable phenomena weaving into the narrative
- Short Stories — Bierce is known for crafting short stories, and this book is likely a collection of several narratives
- War — The Civil War is a common backdrop in Bierce's works, and it could play a significant role in this book
Tags
horror · gothic · supernatural · fantasy · paranormal · mystery · thriller · suspense · dark · creepy · eerie · haunting