The Allusion on Owl Creek Bridge
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The Allusion on Owl Creek Bridge
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is story of Peyton Farquhar, a Southern farmer who is about to be hanged by the Union Army for trying to destroy the railroad bridge at Owl Creek. While the reader is led to believe he escapes under miraculous circumstances, it is revealed at the end of the story that Farquhar imagined his escape in the split seconds before his death.
Throughout the story, the reader is able to see a different of a world Ambrose Bierce lived in. Peyton Farquhar grew up as a rich southerner. He had everything that a man could want that point in time: a wife who served him only, children, land, and slaves. However, he had always felt something was missing. Due to the fact he was unable to fight in the Army, he did not feel adequate enough of a man. This is why Farquhar was willing to do anything as “no service was to humble to him to perform in aid of the south, no adventure too perilous for him to undertake if consistent with the character of a civilian who was a soldier at heart” (Part 2, Paragraph 1). Farquhar was blinded by his enthusiasm at it ultimately resulted in his demise. His actions to tamper with the bridge did not completely end in failure.
The illusion of escape that he went through prior to his death, was the most alive he has ever felt. Looking back at Farquhar imagined journey back to his house, Farquhar begins to realize the pains and emotions he was experiencing the first example is when Farquhar falls straight
downward on the bridge,” To be hanged and drowned,” he thought, “that is not so bad; but I do not wish to be shot. No; I will not be shot; that is not fair.” (Part 3, Paragraph 1). He began to walk on the untraveled road, which symbolizes the avenue of death, and could no longer feel the ground beneath his feet. It felt as if he was walking on air, which proved to be an indication of hanging. He observes a very loud, striking sound as he tries to concentrate on his wife and children. The noise is his own pocket watch and the noise is so deafening because in his mind the watch, and consequently the time is slowing down drastically. At this point in the story, Farquhar closes his eyes and concentrates on the scene around him and then turns his thoughts resolutely towards his family. Memorizing the surroundings allowed him to visualize where he would go and what type of movements he would use for his escape.
Another inconsistency that would allow the reader to realize his escape was merely a hallucination. While on top of the bridge, Farquhar notice how slow the water is moving by the speed of driftwood. But, when he is in water, he is surprised that the current had taken him so far downstream from the bridge and into danger. Ambrose Bierce also gives the reader some historical perspective with the way he describes the military.