Can Such Things Be? - Classic Text | Alexandria
Can Such Things Be? is a collection of short stories by Ambrose Bierce that delves into the macabre, the supernatural, and the psychological horrors lurking beneath the surface of reality. First published in 1893, the collection probes the fragile boundary between sanity and madness, life and death, and the seen and unseen, often leaving the reader questioning the reliability of perception itself. While often categorized as ghost stories, they are more accurately tales of psychological disintegration and cosmic dread.
The seeds of these unsettling narratives can be traced back to Bierce's experiences as a Union soldier in the American Civil War (1861-1865). The brutal realities of combat and the pervasive sense of loss deeply scarred Bierce, shaping his worldview and fueling his exploration of human frailty in the face of overwhelming darkness. His firsthand experiences with death and the disintegration of order provided a fertile ground for tales that challenge the very foundations of reason and certainty. Letters from this harrowing period reveal a mind grappling with the indifference of the universe and the profound darkness of human nature, themes that would come to define his later fiction.
Over time, Can Such Things Be? has cast a long shadow over the horror and weird fiction genres, influencing writers from H.P. Lovecraft to Stephen King. Bierce's unflinching portrayals of psychological breakdown and his masterful use of unreliable narrators have cemented his place as a pioneer of psychological horror. The collection has been interpreted through various lenses, from allegories of post-war trauma to explorations of the anxieties of modernity. Tales like "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" and "The Death of Halpin Frayser" continue to be studied for their innovative narrative techniques and unsettling depictions of reality's unraveling. The unsettling and often ambiguous nature of Bierce's narratives leaves open the possibility of multiple interpretations, ensuring that each reading yields new layers of meaning.
Can Such Things Be? endures as a testament to Bierce's enduring exploration of human vulnerability and the terrors that lie just beyond the threshold of perception. The collection's resonance in contemporary culture hints at a deep-seated fascination with the unknown and a willingness to confront the shadows within ourselves. As readers continue to grapple with the unsettling questions posed in these tales, one wonders: how much of what we perceive as reality is merely a fragile construct, susceptible to the intrusion of forces beyond our comprehension?