# The Difficulty of Crossing a Field explained — Can Such Things Be?

> Chapter companion for Can Such Things Be? by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

In July 1854, a planter named Williamson vanishes without a trace while crossing a pasture near Selma, Alabama, witnessed by his neighbor Armour Wren and Wren's son James. Despite a thorough search, no explanation is found, and the courts declare him dead.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Uncanny and the Grotesque

The inexplicable disappearance in broad daylight, with no trace or explanation, evokes a sense of the uncanny.

### Isolation and Terror

The sudden, inexplicable loss of a person in an open field creates a profound sense of isolation and terror for the witnesses.

## Character check-ins

### Williamson

The planter who mysteriously disappears while crossing a pasture.

### Mr. Wren

Neighbor who witnesses the disappearance and testifies in court.

### Mrs. Williamson

Williamson's wife, who loses her reason after the event.

## Key lines

> Throwing away the stump of a cigar, the planter rose, saying: 'I forgot to tell Andrew about those horses.'

The planter tossed his cigar and stood up, mentioning he needed to speak to Andrew about the horses.

_Sets the mundane context before the disappearance._

> My son's exclamation caused me to look toward the spot where I had seen the deceased an instant before, but he was not there, nor was he anywhere visible.

When my son cried out, I looked to where I had just seen Williamson, but he had vanished completely.

_Key testimony describing the moment of disappearance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_such_things_be_se/chapters/the-difficulty-of-crossing-a-field
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_such_things_be_se/chapters