Short Story Collection: Can Such Things Be?

Introduction
"Can Such Things Be?" is a collection of narratives written by Ambrose Bierce, very first published in 1893. The stories are primarily concentrated on the supernatural, the unusual, and the mystical. The characters in these stories often discover themselves facing strange events and mysterious events that defy sensible descriptions.

The collection consists of a variety of stories varying in mood, design, and tone, though all share Bierce's characteristic wit, cynicism, and cynical humor, together with the exploration of threatening and eerie scenarios. A few of the stories are told in a journalistic design as reports or newspaper articles, while others take the kind of confensions or personal stories. Many of the stories check out dark styles, such as death, vengeance, and the troubling consequences of human actions, permitting the reader to plunge into a world filled with stress, paranoia, and the unidentified.

The Moonlit Road
"The Moonlit Road" is the story of a murder, distinguished 3 different viewpoints. Julia Hetman, a wife, is murdered in her house by a burglar. Her spouse, Caspar Grattan, is thought of committing the criminal offense, as he is the one who discovers her body upon returning home. The second account is offered by Grattan himself, who keeps his innocence throughout the trial. Lastly, the third account is provided by the spirit of Julia, who reveals the real identity of her killer, and the tragic story of her family's downfall. "The Moonlit Road" explores styles of justice, forgiveness, and the relationship between life and death, while offering an upsetting glimpse of the supernatural.

The Boarded Window
In "The Boarded Window", a male named Murlock resides in a remote cabin surrounded by wilderness. He boards up among the windows, and the reader is offered a number of possible descriptions for his decision to do so. Eventually, the reader discovers the tragic and eerie fact about why he blocked this window, relating to the secret of his deceased partner. The story is a psychological thriller that discuss themes of seclusion, grief, and the human mind's response to terrible occasions.

Chickamauga
"Chickamauga" tells the story of a deaf-mute kid who strays from his house and ends up being lost in the woods. While he is away, a battle takes place in between Union and Confederate soldiers near his home. The kid, oblivious to the horrors of war, comes across the battleground, sees the wounded and dying soldiers, and translates the scene as a game. Upon returning home, he finds his house burned down and his mother dead. The story draws attention to the harsh realities of war and the innocence of children.

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" follows the story of Peyton Farquhar, a Confederate sympathizer who will be hanged by Union soldiers for attempting to undermine a railroad. Simply as he awaits his execution, Farquhar experiences a series of vibrant hallucinations that appear to provide him a last-minute escape from death. This narrative is an effective exploration of the subjective nature of time and the last minutes before death.

Conclusion
Throughout the stories in "Can Such Things Be?", Ambrose Bierce examines the crossway between reality and the supernatural, typically leaving the reader questioning the real nature of the events occurring. Bierce's unique writing style, with its dark humor, cynicism, and exploration of the human condition provides a specific strength to these tales, which continue to mesmerize and unsettle readers to this day.