A Psychological Shipwreck (Annotated)

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce was an American editorialist, journalist, short-story writer, fabulist, and satirist. His creation is individualized by a sardonic view of human nature and criticism. He participated in the American Civil War, and he composed a writing style with abrupt beginnings, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, impossible events, and the theme of war.

"Psychological Shipwreck" is a short story narrated in the first person. The protagonist, called William Jarrett, tells the story of a strange meeting during a sea voyage with a young woman travelling with her servant. The strange lady inspires in William Jarrett a novel feeling, which constantly impels him to inexplicably seek her. The mystique of the young lady is redoubled by the fact that one of her relatives is named William Jarrett, just like the protagonist....

Who is the strange woman, and how will the story end? Listen to the story and get the answers!