An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

Francis Espiritu

ENGL 48B

Ambrose Bierce Journal

Author Quote: "Peyton Farquhar was dead; his body, with a broken neck, swung gently from side to side beneath the timbers of the Owl Creek Bridge." (Bierce 366)

Internet Quote: "Set during the American Civil War, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is the story of Peyton Farquhar, a Confederate sympathizer condemned to death by hanging upon the Owl Creek Bridge of the title. The main character finds himself already bound at the bridge's edge at the beginning of the story. It is later revealed that a disguised Union scout enlisted him to attempt to demolish the bridge, and subsequently he was caught in the act." (Wikipedia; An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge)

Summary: When Farquhar was caught at the bridge he was supposed to demolish; it was set up that he was going to die by hanging. Although right before he died, his life apparently flashed before his eyes; and the fantasy of escaping from the hanging and ultimately seeing his family once again appeared. Although it seems he successfully escaped, it was only a fantasy that happened right before his neck snapped. In the end he died, and was unable to escape his fate; death by hanging.

Personal Opinion: I think that the final sentence of the story summarizes the overall effect that Bierce wanted to get across towards the audience. I personally believe that Farquhar's body swinging along the bridge represents time, as if it were some kind of pendulum. In a sense, the swinging body could serve as symbolism of Bierce letting time drag on, giving the reader hope that Farquhar would survive, yet in the end it's as if the plank was pulled from under the reader's feet and we were along with Farquhar all along and we fell victim to the truth. Yet with how Bierce portrays Farquhar's body "swinging gently from side to side" it's as if he was trying to say that before Farquhar died, he was able to get peace by being able to see his wife one last time before he ultimately died.