“A Vine on a House” is a gothic short story by Ambrose Bierce, who’s often remembered for his many war and horror stories. It’s about an unusual vine that grew over an abandoned and dilapidated house. Here’s a summary of “A Vine on a House”.
“A Vine on a House” Summary
About three miles outside Norton, Missouri, stands a ruined house with an evil reputation, abandoned since 1886. Overrunning the entire structure is a vine that no botanist has identified. The Hardings used to live there—Robert, Matilda and their two young children, along with Matilda’s sister, Miss Julia Went. Robert is cold and friendless and makes their living farming. The neighbors think he and Miss Julia spend too much time together. Matilda is a sad woman who’s missing her left foot.
In 1884, Matilda disappears. Robert tells people she went to visit her mother in Iowa. Two years later, Robert abandons the house and his goods and everyone leaves without a word.
On a summer evening about five years later, Reverend Gruber and an attorney named Hyatt meet up by the house. They sit on the porch to discuss some business. At twilight, they’re surprised to see the vine on the house shaking violently. They notice the surrounding trees and other growth are perfectly still. They quickly get off the porch while the vine continues its mysterious and violent shaking and ride into Norton.
Gruber and Hyatt relate the strange occurrence to some discreet friends. They return the next evening with two others and the vine starts shaking again. No one can see any reason for it, and their efforts to hold it still are unsuccessful.
The story soon spreads to the whole neighborhood, and many people visit the house looking for a sign. One day it’s decided they should dig up the vine, which they do. About six feet under ground, the trunk divides into various rootlets and fibers. The roots bear an amazing resemblance to the human form, with torso, limbs, and head clearly visible with some claiming to see a crude face as well. There’s one imperfection in the form—it has no left foot. After much debate, the sheriff orders the root to be put back and covered back in.
It’s later found out that Matilda never visited her family in Iowa. Nothing was ever heard again of Robert Harding or anyone else in the family. The house’s evil reputation remains, but the vine is now perfectly calm.
I hope this summary of “A Vine on a House” by Ambrose Bierce was helpful.