Analysis Of An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

The story of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce is a realistic fiction that takes place during the American civil war. The structure of the story is broken out into three separate scenes. Scene one begins with our protagonist Peyton Farquhar who is in a situation of little to no hope. Scene two gives us some backstory to how Farquhar ended up in such a poor situation. Finally, we have scene three in which against all odds Farquhar is given a fighting chance to live. The way in which the author structures the story is captivating and gives a certain impression to the reader as to how the story is developing until the very end.
Scene one begins with soldiers from the north having captured our protagonist Farquhar and preparing …show more content…
The author shows us his inability to participate directly in the Civil War as a soldier yet his inner desire and longing for aiding the South. However, one evening a soldier that was assumed to be from the South from Farquhar and his wife stopped by their home asking for a drink of water. Farquhar curious of any news regarding the war talked to the soldier to which he learned about the north’s advancement to Owl Creek bridge. It is here that the author shows Farquhar’s desire making him take action as he asks the soldier a hypothetical question regarding what he could accomplish against the north despite the possible risks. The soldier goes on ahead and lets Farquhar know tempting him even further as he so desires in setting himself apart and aiding the south. However, it is then revealed to the reader that the visitor was actually a Federal scout to our dismay because we know of Farquhar’s resolve to prove …show more content…
It is here that the author presents us with Farquhar’s escape in extreme detail that only when the ending is apparent do we realize the detail is too clear. Farquhar is able to capture his surroundings astoundingly and note details such as the gray eyes of the sentinel that was firing at him. In the meantime, when Farquhar finally reaches the left bank of the stream the author conveys well his sense of relief. I smiled at how he felt the sand itself was as precious gems to him and how he was so satisfied to the point that he almost had no wish to perfect his escape. As he comes back to his senses Farquhar attempts returning to his home through the seemingly endless forest. The thought of his family is what pushes him on and finally he makes it to the gate of his home. Farquhar soon comes face to face with his wife and reaches for her but this scene is ended abruptly. It is here that the author ends Farquhar’s temporary victory and shows that it all was but a figment of his