Introduction: “A Man with Two Lives” by Ambrose Bierce
“A Man with Two Lives” by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1899 in his collection, Tales of Soldiers and Civilians, exemplifying his signature dark wit and cynicism, weaving a chilling tale of war and mistaken identity with a surprising twist. The narrative, delivered by a man leading a seemingly ordinary life, subtly builds an unsettling atmosphere that explodes in a nightmarish scenario, leaving readers to question the nature of reality and the fragility of life.
Main Events in “A Man with Two Lives” by Ambrose Bierce
1. Dispatch Mission to Fort C.F. Smith
- David William Duck, a private soldier, is tasked with delivering important dispatches to Fort C.F. Smith on the Big Horn.
- He travels alone, aware of the dangers posed by hostile Indians in the area.
2. Ambushed by Indians
- Duck is ambushed by a band of Indians while traveling through a narrow canyon.
- He narrowly escapes being shot and finds himself surrounded by the enemy.
3. Trapped in a Cul-de-sac
- Duck finds himself trapped in a cul-de-sac with a vertical rock face and hostile Indians blocking his escape.
- Despite his efforts, he is unable to evade or fight off his attackers effectively.
4. Days of Desperation
- Duck spends two days and nights behind cover, engaging in a long-range fight with the Indians.
- He suffers from thirst, sleep deprivation, and the hopelessness of his situation.
5. Delirious Final Stand
- In a state of desperation and delirium, Duck makes a final, futile attempt to fight off the Indians.
- He has little memory of the events that follow due to his delirium.
6. Mysterious Revival
- Duck awakens next to a river, having miraculously survived his ordeal.
- He is devoid of clothing and disoriented, with no recollection of how he got there.
7. Reaching Fort C.F. Smith
- Despite his disorientation, Duck manages to reach Fort C.F. Smith, albeit without the dispatches he was tasked with delivering.
- He encounters Sergeant William Briscoe, who is shocked to see him alive, as he believes Duck was buried two months prior.
8. Identity Crisis
- Duck’s identity is called into question as Briscoe insists that he buried Duck’s dead body himself.
- Duck struggles to reconcile his own existence with the fact that he was pronounced dead and buried.
9. Escape and Flight
- Duck escapes from custody and flees the area, unable to comprehend the inexplicable circumstances surrounding his survival.
- He attempts to return to the scene of his supposed death but fails to locate it on subsequent visits.
10. Unresolved Mystery
- The story ends with Duck unable to reconcile the discrepancy between his own survival and his supposed death.
- The truth behind Duck’s survival and the identity of the man buried in his place remain a mystery.
Literary Devices in “A Man with Two Lives” by Ambrose Bierce
1. Foreshadowing:
- Quote: “He is commonly known, however, as ‘Dead Duck.'” (This nickname foreshadows the central mystery of the story.)
2. Irony:
- Quote: “They waited. For two days and nights… I fought the fellows at long range, firing occasionally at the smoke of their rifles…” (The irony lies in David fighting an enemy he can’t even see.)
3. Dramatic Irony:
- Quote: “…He said: ‘My dear fellow, if you are Dave Duck I ought to inform you that I buried you two months ago.'” (The reader knows the truth David doesn’t, creating dramatic irony.)
4. Juxtaposition:
- Quote: “Here is the queer story of David William Duck… universally respected… ‘Dead Duck.'” (The contrasting nicknames highlight the strange situation David finds himself in.)
5. Understatement:
- Quote: “…somewhat mutilated otherwise, too, I am sorry to say…” (This downplays the seriousness of David’s supposed injuries.)
6. Simile:
- Quote: “…he stared like an owl.” (This simile compares Briscoe’s surprised stare to that of an owl.)
7. Repetition:
- Quote: “‘I told him what had happened to me the day before. He heard me through, still staring; then he said:'” (The repetition of “He said” emphasizes the disbelief David faces.)
- Quote: “‘I’d give something to know,’ I said.” (This question doesn’t expect an answer, but highlights David’s confusion about his identity.)
9. Cliffhanger:
- Quote: “Twice I have been back, seeking for that fateful spot in the hills, but unable to find it.” (The story ends without resolving the mystery, leaving the reader in suspense.)
10. Point of View:
- The story is told from David’s perspective, making the reader experience the confusion and fear alongside him.
11. In medias res:
- The story starts in the middle of the action, throwing the reader directly into the heart of the mystery.
12. Symbolism:
- The “cul-de-sac” where David is trapped could symbolize the dead end he feels he’s reached in his situation.
13. Dialogue:
- The dialogue between David and Briscoe reveals the characters’ personalities and drives the plot forward.
14. Characterization:
- David is portrayed as a determined and resourceful character, despite his confusion.
15. Suspense:
- The story builds suspense as David fights for survival and tries to prove his identity.
16. Pacing:
- The fast pace of the story keeps the reader engaged and eager to find out what happens next.
17. Mood:
- The story creates a mood of confusion, mystery, and paranoia.
18. Theme:
- The story explores themes of identity, death, and the unreliability of perception.
19. Ambiguity:
- The ending leaves the reader questioning the true nature of David’s experience.
20. Dark Humor:
- The nickname “Dead Duck” and David’s situation add a touch of dark humor to the otherwise unsettling story.
Characterization in “A Man with Two Lives” by Ambrose Bierce
Major Character: David William Duck (“Dead Duck”)
- Brave and resourceful: Duck demonstrates courage and resourcefulness in his attempt to deliver important dispatches despite the dangers posed by hostile Indians.
- Persistent: Despite being declared dead and encountering numerous obstacles, Duck continues to seek answers and closure regarding his mysterious survival.
- Conflicted: Duck grapples with an identity crisis, struggling to reconcile his own existence with the fact that he was pronounced dead and buried.
- Determined: Duck’s determination is evident in his escape from custody and subsequent efforts to return to the scene of his supposed death, despite facing challenges and setbacks.
Minor Character: Sergeant William Briscoe
- Shocked and incredulous: Briscoe is initially shocked and incredulous upon encountering Duck alive, as he believed Duck had been buried two months prior.
- Supportive: Despite his initial disbelief, Briscoe offers assistance to Duck by showing him evidence of his supposed death and accompanying him to the commandant.
- Suspicious: Briscoe becomes suspicious of Duck’s identity and motives, leading to Duck being taken into custody by the commandant.
- Instrumental: Briscoe’s encounter with Duck plays a significant role in shaping Duck’s understanding of his own situation and the mystery surrounding his survival.
Major Themes in “A Man with Two Lives” by Ambrose Bierce
- Theme 1: Identity Crisis
The story explores the theme of identity crisis through the protagonist, David William Duck, who struggles to convince others of his true identity. Despite his claims, he is met with skepticism and accused of being an impostor. This theme is exemplified when Sergeant William Briscoe, a man who knew Duck, refuses to believe his identity and instead claims to have buried Duck’s body two months prior. - Theme 2: Survival and Resilience
The story showcases the theme of survival and resilience through Duck’s harrowing experiences. He faces numerous challenges, including being stranded in a cul-de-sac, fighting off hostile Indians, and going without food, water, and sleep. Despite these ordeals, he manages to escape and make his way to Fort C. F. Smith. This theme is exemplified when Duck, despite being delirious and desperate, continues to fight off his attackers and eventually escapes. - Theme 3: Memory and Trauma
The story explores the theme of memory and trauma through Duck’s experiences and their aftermath. His traumatic events leave him with fragmented memories, and he struggles to recall crucial details. This theme is exemplified when Duck remembers the morning of the third day, but his memories become indistinct, and he recalls nothing of the fight that followed. - Theme 4: Uncertainty and Paradox
The story presents the theme of uncertainty and paradox through the conflicting accounts of Duck’s identity and fate. The narrator claims to be David William Duck, but others insist that he is an impostor, leading to a paradoxical situation. This theme is exemplified when Briscoe shows Duck his own clothing and letters, further blurring the lines between reality and deception.
Writing Style in “A Man with Two Lives” by Ambrose Bierce
- Sarcastic tone
- Example: “You can fancy his [Sergeant William Briscoe’s] astonishment at seeing me in that condition, and my own at his asking who the devil I was.”
- Dark humor
- Example: “I’d give something to know [who I am],” said the narrator, highlighting the absurdity of his situation.
- Vivid imagery
- Example: “The country swarmed with hostile Indians… I traveled by night and concealed myself as best I could before daybreak. The better to do so, I went afoot, armed with a Henry rifle and carrying three days’ rations in my haversack.”
- Suspenseful storytelling
- Example: “For two days and nights, crouching behind a rock topped with a growth of mesquite, and with the cliff at my back, suffering agonies of thirst and absolutely hopeless of deliverance, I fought the fellows at long range…”
- Irony
- Example: The narrator is accused of being an impostor, despite his claims of being David William Duck, highlighting the irony of his situation.
- Stream-of-consciousness narration
- Example: “I remember the morning of the third day, which I knew was to be my last. I remember, rather indistinctly, that in my desperation and delirium I sprang out into the open and began firing my repeating rifle without seeing anybody to fire at. And I remember no more of that fight.”
- Unreliable narrator
- Example: The narrator’s fragmented memories and uncertain identity raise questions about his reliability as a narrator.
- Symbolism
- Example: The “cul-de-sac” where the narrator is trapped can be seen as a symbol for his predicament and the limitations of his situation.
Literary Theories and Interpretation of “A Man with Two Lives” by Ambrose Bierce
| Literary Theory | Interpretation | Examples from the Story |
| 1. Psychological Criticism | Examines characters’ behaviors and motivations through psychological frameworks. | Duck’s delirium and disorientation after his ordeal suggest psychological trauma, and his inability to reconcile his survival with his supposed death indicates a deep internal conflict. |
| 2. Postmodernism | Challenges traditional narrative structures and explores themes of ambiguity and multiple realities. | The story’s non-linear narrative and unreliable narrator create uncertainty about Duck’s experiences and the truth behind his survival, reflecting postmodernist themes of ambiguity and subjective reality. |
| 3. Existentialism | Explores themes of individuality, freedom, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. | Duck’s existential crisis, as he grapples with questions of identity and existence in the face of his inexplicable survival, reflects existentialist themes of personal responsibility and the quest for meaning. |
Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “A Man with Two Lives” by Ambrose Bierce
| Topic | Question | Thesis Statement |
| Identity and Memory | How does the story explore the relationship between identity and memory, and what implications does this have for our understanding of self? | “Through the protagonist’s fragmented memories and uncertain identity, ‘A Man with Two Lives’ reveals that memory is a fragile and unreliable foundation for self, highlighting the instability of human identity.” |
| Trauma and Resilience | How does the story portray the psychological and physical effects of trauma on the protagonist, and what insights does this offer into human resilience? | “Ambrose Bierce’s ‘A Man with Two Lives’ illustrates the devastating consequences of trauma on the human psyche, yet also suggests that resilience can be found in the face of unimaginable suffering, as the protagonist’s survival instincts and determination to reclaim his identity drive his actions.” |
| Reality and Perception | How does the story blur the lines between reality and perception, and what commentary does this offer on the nature of truth? | “Through its use of an unreliable narrator and contradictory accounts, ‘A Man with Two Lives’ subverts the notion of objective truth, suggesting that reality is a subjective construct shaped by individual perceptions and experiences.” |
| Survival and the Human Condition | How does the story use the protagonist’s desperate struggle for survival to comment on the human condition, and what insights does this offer into human nature? | “In ‘A Man with Two Lives’, Ambrose Bierce uses the protagonist’s primal fight for survival to expose the fundamental human drives of self-preservation and identity, revealing the raw and primal aspects of human nature that lie beneath the veneer of civilization.” |
Short Questions/Answers about/on “A Man with Two Lives” by Ambrose Bierce
- Does the story offer a definitive explanation for David’s predicament?
- No, the story remains ambiguous. We only have David’s perspective, where he insists he’s alive despite evidence suggesting his death. The confusion around his identity (respected citizen vs. “Dead Duck”) and the disappearing battlefield location leave the reader questioning the reality of David’s experience.
- How does the story use point of view to enhance the mystery?
- By being told from David’s perspective, we experience the confusion and fear firsthand. We only know what David knows, and his shock at being called dead creates a sense of unreliability. We can’t discern if David is delusional, a supernatural phenomenon is at play, or there’s another explanation entirely.
- What role does symbolism play in the story?
- The “cul-de-sac” where David is trapped by the Indians could symbolize the dead end he feels regarding his identity. He’s trapped in a situation with seemingly no escape, mirroring his struggle to prove he’s alive.
- How does the story create suspense and a sense of paranoia?
- The fast pace, David’s desperate fight for survival, and the constant threat of unseen enemies all contribute to suspense. Dialogue with Briscoe, where David is treated as an imposter, adds paranoia. The reader can’t be sure who to trust or what to believe, mirroring David’s own state of mind.
Literary Works Similar to “A Man with Two Lives” by Ambrose Bierce
- “The Damned Thing” by Ambrose Bierce – In this short story, a man is killed by an unseen force in the wilderness, leading to an investigation that uncovers a terrifying and inexplicable truth about the natural world.
- “The Yellow Sign” by Robert W. Chambers – This eerie tale follows an artist who becomes ensnared in a web of supernatural occurrences after encountering a mysterious symbol known as the Yellow Sign, blurring the lines between reality and madness.
- “The Beckoning Fair One” by Oliver Onions – In this ghostly tale, a writer becomes increasingly obsessed with a malevolent presence in his new apartment, leading to a descent into paranoia and madness.
- “The Wendigo” by Algernon Blackwood – Set in the Canadian wilderness, this atmospheric story follows a hunting expedition plagued by the presence of a malevolent spirit known as the Wendigo, testing the limits of human sanity and survival.
- “The Horla” by Guy de Maupassant – In this psychological horror story, a man becomes convinced that he is being tormented by an invisible and malevolent entity known as the Horla, leading to a chilling exploration of madness and existential dread.
Suggested Readings about/on “A Man with Two Lives” by Ambrose Bierce
Books
- Joshi, S.T., ed. The Ambrose Bierce Short Story Collection. W. W. Norton & Company, 2010.
- Bierce, Ambrose. The Civil War Short Stories of Ambrose Bierce. U of Nebraska Press, 1988.
- Bierce, Ambrose. Can Such Things Be?. Albert and Charles Boni, 1909.
Articles
- Bierce, Ambrose. Ambrose Bierce: The Devil’s Dictionary, Tales, & Memoirs (LOA# 219): In the Midst of Life (Tales of Soldiers and Civilians)/Can Such Things Be?/The Devil’s Dictionary/Bits of Autobiography/selected stories. Vol. 219. Library of America, 2011.
- Joshi, S. T. “Russell Duncan and David J. Klooster’s (eds.)< i> Phantoms of a Blood-Stained Period: the Complete Civil War Writings of Ambrose Bierce.” American Studies in Scandinavia 35.2 (2003): 117-120.
Websites
Representative Quotations from “A Man with Two Lives” by Ambrose Bierce
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| “I had not gone a hundred yards before I reached the limit of my run—the head of the gulch which I had mistaken for a canon. It terminated in a concave breast of rock, nearly vertical and destitute of vegetation. In that cul-de-sac I was caught like a bear in a pen.” | The narrator is describing his desperate attempt to escape from the Indians and his realization that he is trapped. | Postcolonial Theory (exploring power dynamics and entrapment) |
| “I remember the morning of the third day, which I knew was to be my last. I remember, rather indistinctly, that in my desperation and delirium I sprang out into the open and began firing my repeating rifle without seeing anybody to fire at. And I remember no more of that fight.” | The narrator is describing his final moments before escaping from the Indians and his subsequent amnesia. | Trauma Theory (exploring psychological effects of traumatic experiences on memory and identity) |
| “My dear fellow, if you are Dave Duck I ought to inform you that I buried you two months ago.” | Sergeant William Briscoe is telling the narrator that he has already been buried and is presumed dead. | Poststructuralist Theory (exploring instability of identity and power of language) |
| “I’d give something to know.” | The narrator is responding to Sergeant Briscoe’s accusation that he is an impostor. | Existentialist Theory (exploring human search for meaning and identity) |
| “A week later, I escaped from the guardhouse and got out of the country as fast as I could. Twice I have been back, seeking for that fateful spot in the hills, but unable to find it.” | The narrator is describing his escape from the guardhouse and his subsequent attempts to find the location of his traumatic experience. | Psychoanalytic Theory (exploring lasting effects of traumatic experiences on the human psyche) |