The short story Ambrose Bierce wrote shortly after the death of a son speaks in-timately about the human experience of death and how the perception of reality can shape it. In short, the story seems to chronicle the unlikely escape of a condemned man only to reveal at end that he is truly dead. The majority of the plot happens within the space of time from the moment he drops from the bridge which serves as the gal-lows until his neck snaps. In reality, it is less than a second, but for Peyton Farquhar, an entire day passes.
The characters all treat death as an event that demands dignity. Bierce uses a potent metaphor calling death a dignitary "who, when he comes announced, is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him" (Bierce, 79). This story is set in during the Civil War meaning that death was a common occurrence. The author goes on to point out that a somber atmosphere, rigidity, and formal ritual before the execution are ways of keeping deference in the face of justified murder (Bierce, 79). Perhaps Bierce is suggesting that in order to save their respect for life soldiers must have their own sobering experience of death.
Farquhar's experience of the time leading up to being dropped is vastly different. He tries to concentrate on his wife as she represents …show more content…
As Peyton Farquhar nears his home and the end of his life, he sees other-worldly shadows, hears alien whispers, and gazed upon unfamiliar stars and constel-lations. he experiences the slow return of physical senses that hint at his death like pain in his neck, congested eyes, and a swollen tongue that he thrusts out of his mouth. He loses the sensation of the ground beneath his feet just before he sees his home and is greeted by his ethereal wife who he never gets to touch. This poignant ending shows that any false perception of reality must eventually coincide with
The characters all treat death as an event that demands dignity. Bierce uses a potent metaphor calling death a dignitary "who, when he comes announced, is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him" (Bierce, 79). This story is set in during the Civil War meaning that death was a common occurrence. The author goes on to point out that a somber atmosphere, rigidity, and formal ritual before the execution are ways of keeping deference in the face of justified murder (Bierce, 79). Perhaps Bierce is suggesting that in order to save their respect for life soldiers must have their own sobering experience of death.
Farquhar's experience of the time leading up to being dropped is vastly different. He tries to concentrate on his wife as she represents …show more content…
As Peyton Farquhar nears his home and the end of his life, he sees other-worldly shadows, hears alien whispers, and gazed upon unfamiliar stars and constel-lations. he experiences the slow return of physical senses that hint at his death like pain in his neck, congested eyes, and a swollen tongue that he thrusts out of his mouth. He loses the sensation of the ground beneath his feet just before he sees his home and is greeted by his ethereal wife who he never gets to touch. This poignant ending shows that any false perception of reality must eventually coincide with