Smith
Johnathon Smith
Hensley
English 11/ Fourth Period
08 January 2018
Part 1: Plot Summary The Boarded Window is a great story that has an amazing ending. Some compare Ambrose Bierce’s writing style to the works of Edgar Allen Poe. The Boarded Window is told by an unknown narrator who heard of the protagonist in a tale. The story takes place in present day Cincinnati around 1830. The main character Murlock lives in a log cabin he built when he ventured Midwest. His dead wife is the main focus in the story. The death of his wife is why the cabin was boarded. One day Murlock came home to his cabin to discover his wife was ill. Because the cabin was so far out there was no doctor that could come by. And if he was to leave for a doctor, it
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So he decides to stay. Although it did not take long and his wife died after three days. He did all he could to help her but it wasn’t enough. Murlock is tasked with digging a grave and preparing his wife’s body. He for some reason can’t shed a single tear for this horrible loss. In the story Bierce writes: “He was surprised, too, that he did not weep - surprised and a little ashamed; surely it is unkind not to weep for the dead.” The narrator suggests that Murlock was experiencing grief with his wife’s death. After preparing the body, Murlock was very tired. Through an open window he heard what sounded like a wild animal. However it could’ve been a dream for he was already asleep. Later he is randomly awoken. He listens for a moment questioning what woke him up. He hears the noise of a soft foot step. Murlock waits in the darkness remaining calm. He tries to say his wife’s name but nothing will come out. He heard what seemed like a body being placed near the table where his wife was. He hears scuffling and places his hand on the table. But is shocked to see that his wife isn’t there. His terror drove him mad and he sprung into action. He leaped to the wall and grabbed his loaded rifle. Shoots without even aiming and in the