The protagonist of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” by Ambrose Bierce, Peyton Farquhar, experiences an event of psychological realism causing an episode of fantastical illusion. Throughout the events of Farquhar’s invention he glorifies the characteristics of the natural world; “ he dug his fingers into the sand, threw it over himself in handfuls and audibly blessed. It looked like gold, like diamonds, rubies, emeralds,” (Bierce 323). Bierce uses many examples for the relationship between Farquhar and nature during his hallucination such as the way the stream carries him away safely from the bullets of the soldiers atop the bridge and the delight promised from the trees, wind and sun as he sat along the bank; “he had no wish to perfect his escape, was content to remain in that enchanting spot until retaken,” (Bierce 323). The narrator allows the reader to realize the appreciation for nature in this story and how it conveys the distinction, or lack of, between human and
The protagonist of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” by Ambrose Bierce, Peyton Farquhar, experiences an event of psychological realism causing an episode of fantastical illusion. Throughout the events of Farquhar’s invention he glorifies the characteristics of the natural world; “ he dug his fingers into the sand, threw it over himself in handfuls and audibly blessed. It looked like gold, like diamonds, rubies, emeralds,” (Bierce 323). Bierce uses many examples for the relationship between Farquhar and nature during his hallucination such as the way the stream carries him away safely from the bullets of the soldiers atop the bridge and the delight promised from the trees, wind and sun as he sat along the bank; “he had no wish to perfect his escape, was content to remain in that enchanting spot until retaken,” (Bierce 323). The narrator allows the reader to realize the appreciation for nature in this story and how it conveys the distinction, or lack of, between human and