Directions: Choose one of the questions to discuss for
your primary blog post. Your response
must be supported with specific references to the text and follow blog post
requirements. Then, create a secondary
blog post in response to your peers.
1. What are
the different methods the author uses to create suspense? Be specific in examples and explanation.
2. Discuss
the author's use of fantasy vs. reality.
How (through which literary elements) is this distinction created? What
theme does it work to reveal?
3. Discuss
the structure of the short story. What shifts occur between the sections
(literary elements)? What is the effect
of these shifts on the reader?
4. Free
topic of discussion! Must be analytical (examine the use of literary
elements/writing style) and supported.
In the short story, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” Ambrose Bierce builds suspense in the minds of her readers through the use of peculiar diction, vague and sparse detailing, and a third person omniscient point of view.
ReplyDelete“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” begins by drawing the reader’s attention in through the use of a somewhat vague and enigmatic title. Specifically, the author’s inclusion of the ambiguous word “occurrence” establishes an atmosphere of suspense because the reader is left questioning what the true meaning behind this word is. By dictionary definition, the word occurrence is defined as something that happens; an event or incident (www.dictionary.com). The readers are immediately draw into the story because they want to find out the meaning behind the inconclusive message given off in the title.
The author also creates suspense by not telling the readers background information about Farquhar at the beginning of the story. Instead of explaining Farquhar’s past, the author includs somewhat vague and unimportant details that meander around the story line. The first line of story reads, “A man stood upon a railroad bridge in northern Alabama, looking down into the swift water twenty feet below. The man's hands were behind his back, the wrists bound with a cord,” (Bierce 1). By not telling the readers background information at the beginning of the story, the author creates suspense because readers are left wondering who this man is and why he is being punished. Evidently, the suspense continues until the details of the man and the reasons for his execution are revealed in section two of the story.
In addition to her ambiguous word choice and scarce detailing, Bierce also employs the use of a third person limited point of view as a way to add to the story's overall suspense. The author provides many details as to how Peyton Farquhar thinks and feels, but he fails to include any details pertaining the thoughts and feelings of his executioners. By doing this, the readers are left with a feeling of uncertainty; they are left questioning how the soldiers felt towards the execution. Did they have feelings against Farquhar? Did they feel guilty? Was the execution justified? If the readers were given these details, they might have had a better understanding of the story as a whole. Personally, I couldn’t help but wonder what else the narrator was hiding from us.
All in all, the authors use of questionable diction, scare detailing, and third person limited point of view were used to keep readers attention and to add to the overall suspense of the story.
I really enjoyed reading your post! You were smart to analyze the title of the story first as the title usually will give you an insight as to what the story is about. I liked how you looked up the actual definition of occurrence, especially since this is probably the most important word in the title. In the third paragraph, you used a good quote to back up your explanation of how withholding the character's background created suspense. Your fourth paragraph was very well written. I hadn't thought about what the author might be holding back from us, but now I do question what information is being withheld. Overall this is a great response. Well done!
DeleteI had never thought about how the use of third person could create such suspense in a story! Good thinking! But you are right. Because we know nothing about anyone else, it makes the readers think more. I also never thought about the title and its meaning. I think you are right about how "occurrence" establishes an atmosphere of suspense all on its own. I talked about how the author chose to start his story off in the present and not introducing the setting right away as well. Your post is very well put together. It was easy to follow and understand.
DeleteIn "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge", a short story by Ambrose Bierce, Bierce builds suspense through her use of clever placing of flashbacks, third person point of view limited, and figurative language.
ReplyDelete“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” starts off at the present time. The main character, Peyton Farquhar who is not given a name until the second part, is described as being supported above a river by a railway with his wrists bound with rope and a noose encircling his neck. The rest of the first part is describing the measures taken to keep the prisoner from escaping and to keep by passers out. The last line of the first part is, “As these thoughts, which have to be set down in words, were flashed into the doomed man’s brain rather than evolved from it the captain nodded to the sergeant. The sergeant stepped aside” (Bierce 2). Then Bierce takes the reader back to the past, most likely the recent past, when Farquhar was not a prisoner being executed. This creates suspense because the reader has just read all about the set up of the execution, but then is put on hold when this detour is taken. The reader wants to know what is going to happen, so they continue to read the short story.
This short story is also written in third person limited. The reader can see Farquhar’s thoughts, “’If I could free my hands,’ he thought, ‘I might throw off the noose and spring into the stream…my wife and little ones are still beyond the invader’s farthest advance” (Bierce 2), but not any other character’s. This creates suspense because the reader does not know what the executioners are thinking, therefore leaving the time of the execution a mystery leading the reader to look for the time when the rope around Farquhar’s neck will be tightened.
Bierce puts to use many similes to create suspense. “Its recurrence was regular, but as slow as the tolling of a death knell” (Bierce 1). This simile is comparing the ticking of his watch to a death knell. Another simile used was comparing his movement to that of a pendulum: “he swung through unthinkable arcs of oscillation, like a vast pendulum” (Bierce 2). These similes provide the reader with the ability to better imagine the dire circumstance, which Farquhar is in; this creates suspense because the reader wants to know what is going to happen to him.
Bierce was able to create suspense because of her use of cleverly placed flashbacks, third person point of view limited, and similes. Without these the reader would not have been as invested in the short story, waiting to see what would happen next.
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DeleteNice post Sydney! I really liked your explanation of how the author used figurative language to create suspense. I loved how you included the simile comparing the ticking of Peyton Farquhar's watch to the tolling of a death knell; that was one of my favorite quotes from the short story! When I was thinking of ways that the author created suspense for my post, I totally disregarded the abundance of figurative language, but now looking back, I realize how significant the figurative language actually is so thank you for that!
DeleteAdditionally, I agree that the omission of details at the beginning of the story created a great deal of suspense, but don't you think it also created a lot of confusion? I don't know about everyone else, but when I first read the short story, I was extremely confused at what was going on. The omission of details left me more confused than interested, but maybe i'm just a bit slow at interpreting literature. Anyway, good job on your post. After reading it, I have a better understand of how the Bierce created suspense in her story.
Nice post Sydney! After reading your response, I never realized how many similes Bierce used in the short story. Overall, I feel like you could have mentioned in your post about the time period, the American Civil War, shown in the short story since you mentioned how there were executioners and that the man was a prisoner of war.
DeleteI love the way that you went into detail about how the point of view was focused on Farquhar and not on the thoughts of the executioners therefore leaving the execution a mystery. That never really crossed my mind until you mentioned and it makes a ton of sense. Overall, you mentioned a ton of things regarding the figurative language of the short story that never came to mind when I read through this story the first time.
Your post is nicely written! I can relate to the point you brought up about the timing of the flashbacks. It did build suspense and make me want to continue reading to find out what happens next. I had not realized that the point of view the short story is written in has an impact on building the suspense. After reading your post, I realize that by revealing only Farquhar's thoughts, not only are the executioners' thoughts a mystery to the reader, but reality is a mystery because Farquhar's mind enters a fantasy world after he is executed.
DeleteThe similes you mentioned are great examples of how dire situations cause suspense. I think the comparison of the ticking of Farquhar's clock with the slow toll of a death knell also shows the different perception of time in the fantasy in Farquhar's mind, causing even more suspense as it contrasts with reality. I like how you tied all of your main points back to the execution of Farquhar. After reading your post, I can see how the different elements of flashbacks, similes and point of view all work together to build up to the climatic moment when the sergeant steps aside.
In the short story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, Ambrose Bierce produces an extensive amount of suspense for the readers by having the readers wait to discover if Peyton Farquhar either made it back to his family safe or dead. Bierce uses imagery, flashback, and similes to create this suspense.
ReplyDeleteBierce uses a strong amount of detail to help create curiosity in the readers. Bierce claims, “...by the pain of a sharp pressure upon his throat, followed by a sense of suffocation. Keen, poignant agonies seemed to shoot form his neck downward through every fiber of his body and libs…” (Bierce, III). Bierce is using organic imagery. He is helping his readers to understand and feel what Peyton Farquhar is feeling as he escapes from the bridge. Readers wonder what is causing Farquhar so much pain. They want to know what happened to him when he fell from the bridge. Does he die, or does he stay alive? Later Bierce explains, “The water roared in his ears like the voice of Niagara, yet he heard the dull thunder of the volley and, rising again toward the surface, met shining bits of metal, singularly flattened…” (Bierce III). In this quote, Bierce is using auditory and visual imagery to allow the readers to imagine what Farquhar was experiencing. This results in the readers to, again, grow suspense. The excessive amount of imagery creates tension and curiosity for the reader because it gives them a sense of what the characters are feeling, hearing, seeing, and experiencing. Imagery also grows suspense on the readers because it lets the readers understand just how extreme everything Farquhar is experiencing is.
Bierce’s choice of including a flashback caused the most suspense for the readers. Bierce starts off with section I, talking about the present and how Farquhar was currently in the process of being hung. Suddenly Section II is presented with a flashback. Bierce rewinds back to the past where he fully introduces Farquhar and how Farquhar and his wife were at their house when a northern scout in disguise showed up. Farquhar and the northern scout converse about the Owl Creek Bridge and how if anyone is caught interfering with the bride, they will be hung. The readers quickly read through section II so they can hurry and start section III. All the readers’ want is to figure out what is happening to Farquhar in the present. This is where the readers grow the most suspense. The readers do not care about what happened in the past. The readers just want to know what happens in the end. Section III begins and we are “back in the present”. Farquhar is dropped into the water, and he is trying to escape.
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge contains a number of similes. In section I Bierce states, “They hurt his ear like the thrust of a knife” (Bierce I). This simile allows the readers to understand how great of an effect the sharp noise had on Farquhar. By relating pain from a knife to pain from a noise makes the readers curious as to what type of noise could be so painful. This creates suspense. Readers start to think, “What type of noise could cause the same amount of pain as a knife”. Later, in section III, Bierce explains, “Suddenly he felt himself whirled round and round-spinning like a top” (Bierce III). By the end of section III the reader’s suspense is at an ultimate high. Farquhar has been close to death so many times. The readers just want to know if he makes it home alive or if he dies. The readers read that Farquhar finally escaped from the bridge, but now all of a sudden he is spinning uncontrollably? They start to wonder if he got shot, if he is stuck in a current, or maybe if all of this was a dream. Bierce’s use of similes grows the reader’s suspense by making the reader more curious as to what is occurring and what will happen in the end.
Nice post Sierra! You did a really good job at including specific quotes from the text. All the quotes you used did a fantastic job at supporting your arguments. Even though I answered the same question as you did, your post still taught me a lot of new things I didn't realize. When I was thinking of ways the author created suspense, I totally missed all the imagery she included. I definitely agree that the abundance of imagery used created curiosity in the readers because when I was reading, I was extremely interested in how Peyton was reacting to such an experience. I think that the author included this abundance of imagery because he wanted to make it easier for his readers to sympathize with Peyton. If he hadn't included all the imagery and detail, it would probably been hard for the readers to imagine how Peyton was feeling because nobody has probably been through that level of physically and emotional distress. As a last note, I wanted to thank you for including the specific type of imagery used. Before reading your post, I had no idea what organic imagery was so thank you for making me smarter! (:
DeleteI really enjoyed your post Sierra. It highlights points that I previously glossed over, such as pointing out that the purpose of the second act was made to build suspense. When I first read over that part of the story, the only thing that stuck out to me was the fact that it ended by saying, "He was a federal scout." I did not think of the fact that this entire section of the story not only developed the plot and provided a back story, but that it also served to increase the suspense because it followed directly after the condemned man is first dropped from the bridge. Also, I found it interesting how you interpreted the rhetorical devices in part three as objects of suspense. Such as the whirling round and round of his body in the water to add to the tension of the situation.
DeleteIn the short story, "An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge" Ambrose Bierce uses imagery and a flashback to portray the shifts that occur in time between the sections.
ReplyDeleteThe beginning of the short story portrays a vivid image of a man just standing a board on the side of a bridge waiting to be hung. "The man's hands were behind his back, the wrists bound with a cord. A rope closely encircled his neck. It was attached to a stout cross-timber above his head and the slack fell to the level of his knees" (Bierce, 1). Before the shift occurs, many readers are now asking questions about this scene. Who was this man? What did he do that was so bad that he would get hung? Personally, I also asked myself these questions because it was this that got me interested in this short story.
In section II, Bierce goes into detail on who the man clearly was and on what time period this took place. "Peyton Farquhar was a well to do planter, of an old and highly respected Alabama family. Being a slave owner and like other slave owners a politician, he was naturally an original secessionist and ardently devoted to the Southern cause" (Bierce, 2). This passage clearly depicts this man to be Southern and that this took place during the American Civil War; it also depicts what happened right before he was ready to get hung. This could also mean that the generals in the first section were possibly Union soldiers who caught him.
Bierce also uses imagery in section III to depict the man as though he is managing to escape the soldiers, but it ends with a plot twist. "As he is about to clasp her he feels a stunning blow upon the back of the neck; a blinding white light blazes all about him with a sound like the shock of a cannon...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, 4). Here it is clearly shown that this whole section portrayed a vision he had right before he gets hung, and once he approaches his wife, since it seems like he escaped, he feels an immediate pain in his neck and then depicts that he was hanging on the side of the bridge the entire time and that he was clearly hung.
Overall, Bierce used vivid imagery and third person point of view to portray the drastic plot shifts within the short story as it shifts between fantasy and reality.
I really like your post, you used really good examples from the story to support your argument. I agree with you that he used vivid imagery and a third person point of view to show the plot shifts within the story. I liked how you shared the questions the story made you ask. Overall this is just a really good post and you made some valid arguments.
DeleteGerson this post is great bro!!! The evidence that you use in your analysis strongly back up your point. By using these excerpts from the text you definitely portray the shifts in the story. Although I don't think you should include questions in your response, I think that you could take it in an awesome direction by using your answers to the questions for the audience of your analysis to relate to. Your thesis brings up a very strong argument, just be sure that you put in the two part thesis that we talked about in class. With everything taken into account this is a totally dope post that accurately describes the assertion that you look to make!
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ReplyDeleteIn the short story, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” the author manipulates the structure of the essay with figurative language that creates a different type of narrative for all three acts. He does this by shifts in tone, figurative language, and details; these differ between each act to form a complex story that makes the reader unable to predict the conclusion of the short story.
ReplyDeleteIn the first act of the shorty story, the author employs heavy descriptive elements and imagery to make the reader feel as though they are actually there on the bridge. The details are extremely specific and go into unnecessary depth, but this reminded me of what the atmosphere would be like for someone who was about to die. When someone is on an adrenaline high or is afraid, they often take in all the details at once and are able to paint a very vivid picture of what they experienced. The author states that, “Striking through the thoughts of his dear ones was a sound which he could neither ignore nor understand… as slow as the tolling of a death knell… the sounds grew increased in strength and sharpness…what he heard was the ticking of his watch.” (Bierce 1) This type of figurative language really shows the fear that the condemned man is feeling, the way that the watch is described as a death toll symbolizes the complete loss of comprehensive thought as fear and panic begin to take over in his mind. This details are those of someone who is panicking, for the man wears this watch all the time, but only now is it beginning to drive him crazy with its benign ticking. Though it is never explicitly stated, the man is very afraid of death. He tries to cover this up by looking brave, but he is afraid to the point where he begins to hallucinate.
The second act of the essay is a flashback to earlier that day when the man decides he will attempt to sabotage a bridge to prevent the union army from crossing it. This section of the short story has a very different structure and reads more like an actual novel. The plot is developed and the details are not as focused on as in the first act. The author uses this act of the short story to provide the basis for why the man, Peter Farquhar, is being executed. He was set up unknowingly by a union spy, and therefore the soldiers knew he was coming. This is written like a suspense novel, which is the complete opposite of the first part, which was written like a realization of death. When the author states, “He was a federal scout.” (Bierce 2) The reader immediately puts the pieces together to figure out what actually happened. Which almost makes this section seem as if it is part of a crime novel.
The third part of the short story was the most interesting, due to the subtle hints it dropped from time to time. The structure of this section was different from the others in the way that it almost seemed that it was not real. The other two sections seemed like plausible events that could occur, but this section was written like an action movie. Such as when the author stated, “The baffled cannoneer had fired him a random farewell.” (Bierce 3) This seemed incredibly implausible, for soldiers would never fire a cannon multiple times after one lone escapee. This, along with other events, made the escape of the man seem very unlikely and almost unreal. The author wrote this part of the essay with a hopeful and exciting tone to make it seem as if the man had a chance at escaping. But looking closely at the details, it is clear that they do not add up. This structure makes the story more captivating for the reader, and offers the possibility of escape, but then creates a plot twist that ends the story.
Great post Jared! I think you nailed this topic and developed your response very nicely. In my piece I focused on the structure's development for the theme, but your response has opened my eyes the the shift's effect on figurative language and tone. These are two elements I did not discuss in my own response.
DeleteI particulary enjoyed your analysis of the second section.You did a great job of critically examining a concise section and finding the significance behind it. I completely agree with you, it did seem like a crime novel. Your choice of textual evidence supported your argument and your concrete details continued to develop your thesis.
Overall, I thought you did a wonderful job and I think it is awesome to see how we had similar interpretations of this short story.
Jared you hit another one out of the ball park, my friend. Right when I first started reading it I noticed your very organized structure in the thesis especially. I think is very important because if the reader can not figure out that the subject of the text is, what is the point in reading the essay.
DeleteI also enjoyed reading your second paragraph throughly because you were able to catch details that I missed while reading. such as the specific fact that the general plot structure of the second section was done in broad strokes. It was very out of the box to think big picture like you did. Top marks to you, Jared. Keep it up
In the short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”, Ambrose Bierce uses fantasy and reality to set the theme of morbid determination.
ReplyDeleteAt the star of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”, Bierce starts with reality. He uses reality to begin the characterization of Peyton “He was a civilian, if one might judge from his habit, which was that of a planter.” Without the use of reality the reader wouldn’t be able to know who Peyton is and what he looks like. Without reality there is no characterization, without characterization the reader cannot develop empathy for the character. Reality is also used at the beginning to establish the setting of the story. “A man stood upon a railroad bridge in northern Alabama, looking down into the swift water twenty feet below.” Using reality to establish setting allows the reader to foreshadow what the story will be about.
Throughout the rest of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”, Bierce uses fantasy to show Peyton’s determination and dedication to his family. “By nightfall he was fatigued, footsore, famished. The thought of his wife and children urged him on.” Without using fantasy there is no story, Peyton’s thoughts and imaginings are the only thing keeping the story. The reader is led to believe that the events that occur are reality. It isn’t until the very last line that it’s revealed to only be fantasy. “Peyton Farquhar was dead; his body, with a broken neck, swung gently from side to side beneath the timbers of the Owl Creek Bridge.” This revelation is used to shock the reader and reveal how morbid the theme of the story actually is. Without the use of fantasy and reality the reader would think the story is a classic hero saves the day, is returned home, and saves his family. However, fantasy and reality give this story a morbid shocking twist end.
The short story, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek” by Ambrose Bierce blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Bierce manipulates point of view and structure to cause the reader to question truth during the story creating a theme of self-deception.
ReplyDeleteSince the narrator only portrayed Farquhar’s thoughts, the reader’s knowledge is limited as to what the Union soldiers are thinking. The reader is left to guess their motives, conscience, and most importantly why he is being executed. The narrator’s selection of point of view caused the reader to imagine various reasons for Farquhar's hanging. While the limited point of view focuses attention on the inner workings of Farquhar's mind as he faces his death. “He unclosed his eyes and saw again the water below him. "If I could free my hands," he thought, "I might throw off the noose.”’ (Bierce 2) The author’s choice to write the story in a third person omniscient point of view persuaded the reader to question themselves due to omission of information. This literary element supported the theme by probing the reader to question what is fact and what is their own imagination.
As the story moves from the present to the past, the reader learns the imagined present reflects the author’s intention to challenge the line between fact and fantasy. “To die of hanging at the bottom of a river!—the idea seemed to him ludicrous. He opened his eyes in the darkness and saw above him a gleam of light, but how distant, how inaccessible!” (Bierce 2) The second section cuts into the story right as the execution is ending causing Farquhar produce his own version of reality: a timeless realm in which he may escape. The author uses the structure of the story to explain how Farquhar’s imagination manipulated time to attempt to change the outcome. The use of structure emphasized the theme as it portrayed Farquhar’s personal struggle. His creation of an alternate ending proves he was encumbered by self-deception.
Bierce develops a theme of self-deception through the use of point of view and structure. The effect of these literary elements was employed not only between the reader, but also the main character; this created a greater impact which emphasized her point immaculately. These elements distorted the line separating reality and fantasy. Bierce provided little information ultimately accentuating the idea of self-doubt; the reader had no idea what was fact and what was fiction.
Wow Lainee! Your analysis is amazing! I never considered the thoughts of the Union soldiers or their motives. Do you think that it is possible that the Union soldiers are hanging the Confederate supportes because they want them to experience what slaves experience in the South? That is what I took away from the story... In my opinion, Farquhar believed he could not be harmed in the south.
DeleteYour thoughts on Farquhar's alternate ending is unparalleled! I would have never come up with that. I completely interpreted the ending another way. I thought that Farquhar escaping and then returning to his home was his downfall because that is where it all began with the Union soldier arriving at his home, even facing death in his subconscious he leads the enemy to his family because he truly believed he could escape his destiny.
Great Job! I enjoyed reading your analysis.
Nice analysis, Lainee! I really like how you chose to tackle the reality vs. fantasy prompt. I was planning on doing it, but I couldn't quite get the right words out for this prompt. You, on the other hand, I think, did a great job! I learned from your mini-essay that Farquhar's illusion might have represented the change that he wanted to see in himself, essentially like what you have described to be, "his own version of reality." As a Confederate supporter who failed to enlist in the war, Farquhar dreamed of becoming that brave, dashing hero who could escape all terrors including death, but as it clearly turns out, he cannot embody that ideal. Instead, like you said, he produces "a timeless realm in which he may escape." His hallucination symbolizes his "fake" escape even though he cannot escape the real dilemma in his real life. The extent of his self-deception is so great that he is blinded by his own imagination, and I like how you worded this statement, "His creation of an alternate ending proves he was encumbered by self-deception." Although your analysis is great, I think there are some ways to make it even better. In your third paragraph, you start delving into structure in the last two-three sentences. However, I definitely think that you could have elaborated even further, potentially on the dramatic shifts at the end of the sections. Also, concerning your stance on point of view, would the reader have felt any differently if Bierce had chosen to speak in first person instead of third? I think that if you explictly stated why third-person point of view is so appropriate for this story to be persuasive, you would have had a much stronger, more compelling essay.
DeleteStill, good work!
Chanel
In the short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”, Ambrose Bierce characterizes Peyton Far, a planter and slave owner, as a man whom lacks maturity and experience which leads to his peril.
ReplyDeleteThe short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” begins with Farquhar being depicted as gentleman with a “kindly expression” facing death. Though Farquhar is deemed calm, cool, and collected on the outside, his inner turmoil and anxiety juxtaposes his exterior façade. Farquhar, whom has owned slaves, well dressed, and a “gentleman” does not appear to be accustomed to facing hazardous situations on his own. Instead of thinking of an escape plan, Farquhar becomes impatient with the “ticking of his watch” because it symbolized his limited time alive. As a distraction from being hung, he imagines escaping and seeing his family again which in hindsight will be his doom.
In the second half of the story, Farquhar accommodates an enemy soldier in his home and takes advice that leads to his death. Longing and dreaming for the heroic scene, Farquhar’s gullibility in listening to the foreign soldier highlights the beginning of the story and foreshadows its ending. The soldier knew too much detail about the bridge and its surrounding area to not raise any red flags. He blindly allowed the rival soldier to lead him into a trap. Ironically the same driftwood that the rival soldier told Farquhar to burn to “[take] the sentinel by surprise”, was dragged down the stream by a current while he was in a noose. The same wood that was supposed to burn is floating towards freedom symbolizing that dreams wash away.
Focused on returning to his family, Farquhar made the task of killing him easier for the rival solders. Bierce characterizes Farquhar as a kept man, who is inexperienced, rash, and adolescent when it comes to the real world. Throughout the story, Farquhar is unable to make wise choices and think things through which leads to his death.
I really enjoyed reading your interpretation of the story- it seems quite different from mine! I did not initially view Farquhar as a bad person, possibly because he is the main character and the only character that is described in detail. However, you're right- he was a Southerner, he owned slaves, and he was against the Union. Even so, it's interesting to consider how bad he really was. Of course he was on the wrong side of history, but Farquhar had some positive traits: he was a loving family member, patriotic, devoted, and willing to fight for what he believed. Had he been on the side of the Union, I believe our overall view of him would be much more positive, as these are valuable and honorable traits. In fact, it seems that the author was trying to convey this when he referred to Farquhar as a "gentleman". If he had been born in the North, he could have used these traits to help the Union instead. Maybe then he could be one of the executioners instead of the one being killed.
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ReplyDelete“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” written by Ambrose Bierce, elaborates on the final thoughts and memories of a captured Confederate supporter before he is met with his fated execution. In this short story, Ambrose Bierce employs dramatic diction, gradual characterization, and sudden shifts in structure in order to build suspense and maintain the reader’s interest all the way to the end.
ReplyDeleteBierce uses evocative figurative language and powerful diction to stimulate the reader, both mentally and viscerally. To illustrate the exhaustive battle for life, Bierce notes, “His neck ached horribly; his brain was on fire, his heart, which had been fluttering faintly, gave a great leap, trying to force itself out at his mouth.” By attributing human-like qualities to his heart, emotions are galvanized, brought to life, and the extent of his feelings are magnified. Other examples of personification include “the steam racing madly,” “the water roared in his ears like the voice of Niagara,” and “a rising sheet of water curved over him, fell down upon him, blinded him, strangled him!” To convey madness, Bierce delineates a “pulsating fire,” “insupportable anguish,” and “dire pang.” To portray love, Bierce eloquently describes Farqhar's “fresh and cool and sweet” wife of having a countenance of “matchless grace and dignity.” In the end, powerful diction, accompanied by imagery, allows the reader to share Farquhar’s pain, anxiety, and joy.
Bierce uses implicit characterization to incite apprehension. The first line is the immediate hook. “A man stood upon a railroad bridge in northern Alabama, looking down into the swift water twenty feet below.” With just this one line, the reader instinctively assumes that the man is about to commit suicide, but with further reading, that is not the case. “…The railway supplied a footing for him and his executioners—two private soldiers…” By leaving behind these slightly ambiguous context clues, the author forces the reader to make sense of the situation through his or her own assumptions. Instead of explicitly stating from the get-go who the man is, how the man is feeling, or what the man has done to deserve his current situation, Bierce decides to slip subtle hints and wait for the right moment, when the reader is least expecting it, to drop the truth. This tactic allows the reader to stay engaged in and drawn to the story.
During instances when Farquhar is relapsing into hazy life and vicious death, Bierce uses lengthy, drawn-out sentences in order to bolster the significance of his words. When Farquhar is writhing to survive, Bierce starts stretching his sentences as if to imitate the ongoing intensity of Farquhar’s suffering. He states, “He felt his head emerge; his eyes were blinded by the sunlight; his chest expanded convulsively, and with a supreme and crowning agony his lungs engulfed a great draught of air, which instantly he expelled in a shriek!” By using recurrent punctuation and parallelism in this sentence, Bierce is able to successfully build up suspense to the climax. When Bierce needs to signal a major shift in the story, he uses short syntax. At the end of the second section, he revealed that “He was a Federal scout,” and the most important “a-ha” moment occurs at the very end of the story when Bierce finally announces that Peyton Farquhar is dead. At this moment, the audience realizes that everything had been a dream—a fantasy made up in his head—and the audience is left with a compelling, epiphanic last impression.
Through forceful diction, steady characterization, and sudden, pre-meditated shifts in the story, Bierce effectively creates suspense. By providing peripheral clues about the setting and characters, without initially revealing the identity, appearance, or personality of the man, Bierce is able to maintain the reader’s curiosity. These “a-ha” moments of discovery left at the end of each section leave readers staggering on the edge of their seats, hungry to know more and eager to solve the mystery at Owl Creek Bridge.
In the short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”, Ambrose Bierce creates suspense through the structure and details of the piece and the omniscient point of view.
ReplyDelete“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” succeeds in creating suspense because of its distinct structure. It is split into three parts, with each part having its own purpose. The first part establishes the setting of the story and characterizes the man. The reader learns that the man has been sentenced to death and is awaiting his execution. The second part provides details about the man and the events that led up to his execution, painting him as patriotic and loving. The third and final part describes the desperate attempts of the man to escape death and the delusion that leads to his eventual demise. The separation of the short story into parts creates a flow similar to a movie, which often switch between scenes and storylines. As news scenes are introduced, the reader or viewer’s opinion changes and the purpose of the story becomes clearer. The story begins as vague and mysterious, as the man doesn’t have a name. This leaves the reader with a lot of questions: Who is this man? Why is he being killed? When is this taking place? Then as these questions are answered, the reader is filled with a new suspense; it is no longer a question of who is this man, but rather, will he escape? The different parts influence the reader into rooting for the man, making it even more disappointing when he ultimately dies. The sadness the reader feels at the end of the short story would not exist without the suspenseful structure of the entire piece.
While the structure of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is significant in building suspense, the way the short story is told- through an omniscient point of view- aids greatly in building suspense as well. While the point of view is consistent throughout the entire piece, part two exemplifies its effect when speaking of the unfamiliar soldier who visits the Farquhar house: “An hour later, after nightfall, he repassed the plantation, going northward in the direction from which he had come. He was a Federal scout.” Before this, Peyton is identified as a proud Southern man and converses with the stranger about how to aid in the war effort. The stranger tells him to go to the bridge, and Peyton trusts him. If this narrative were told from Peyton’s point of view, the reader would not understand the significance of this interaction or how it led to his death. However, with a 3rd person narrator, the reader can find out immediately that this man was not whom Peyton believed him to be. This creates irony because the reader knows something that the main character does not. This irony contributes to the suspense of the story, as the reader now sympathizes with Peyton and wants to know what will happen.
The suspense in “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is established through deliberate structure and an omniscient point of view. Without these elements, the short story would have been nothing more than about a man who is killed during a war. The elements of suspense make the story unique, interesting, and worth reading.
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ReplyDeleteIn the short story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, Ambrose Bierce produces the effect of fluidity of time on the reader by using flashbacks.
ReplyDeleteThe first section of the short kick starts your heart by placing you at the execution of the main character. “A rope closely encircled his neck. It was attached to a stout cross-timber” (Bierce). This Flash-forward into the storyline is an unexpected twist. Already the time line of the story has been broken and if the sections are analyzed. You can observe that there are three distinct sections in the short story. This symbolizes how the piece will be broken into parts of some kind. If one adds the information of the flash-forward in the very first paragraph, it becomes clear, that the timeline of the literary piece will be broken into sections. Later on in the first section they go on to describe the man on deaths door. “He was a civilian, if one might judge from his habit, which was that of a planter. His features were good - a straight nose, firm mouth, broad forehead, from which his long, dark hair was combed straight back”(Bierce). These piece of information because extremely important because now we, the audience, know what the unknown man looks like. This will allow us to track him through time even though we do not know his name. By not understanding quite what’s happening in the first section the readings sense of surrounds are distorted and the sense of time is moved as well.
The Second paragraph starts with the phrase. “Peyton Fahrquhar was a well to do planter” (Bierce). Immediately because of the previous knowledge of the unknown man, we are able to identify him as Peyton. With the identification of the man we are able to establish that this is the same time line as the previous section. However, we are still unable to place where it goes on the time line it. Later in the text, Peyton and his wife are sitting on a bench when grey clad solider approach them and say “ The commandant has issued an order, which is posted everywhere, declaring that any civilian caught interfering with the railroad, its bridges, tunnels, or trains will be summarily hanged” (Bierce). Here the truth of what time it really is illuminated. This is a flashback to before the first section because the connection of the noose and the warrant for a hanging. By connecting these section like this the author is able to create a warped sense of time. The jumps between the sections convey the message to the reader that time is fluid.
*Did not have page numbers because I was not there when a hard copy was passed out
While reading this story, I also found her switches from past to present to be very intriguing. I like how you mention the "kick start" in the beginning of the story as a supporting factor of the flash forward into the story. Additionally, I agree on your thought that the description of the character in the past is significant information for the audience to understand the rest of the story. Ultimately, I concur that the blur between past and present conveys a message that the time in this short story is very fluid.
DeleteJack, your essay was extremely eloquent and thoughtful. Your analysis was in depth and truly displayed your critical thinking abilities. One thing in particular that came to my attention when reading your assignment was how we both shared similar perspectives regarding many aspects of the short story. Although we addressed different prompts, I also discussed how flashbacks play a crucial role in the composition of this text. I agree that this unique structure of the story not only added an atmosphere of suspense, but also impacted the fluidity of time in the story.
DeleteYour first paragraph was rather eye opening. I had never considered the situation from that point of view and I am very glad you included it in your essay! Additionally, you did an excellent job incorporating quotations; this truly abetted your claims. Although your response is very coherent and informative, it may have been advantageous to elaborate more in your introduction as well as provide a concluding paragraph to wrap up all of your ideas. Overall, the quality of this product is stellar, good job!
The short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce chronicles the life of Peyton Farquhar, a confederate sympathizer who is condemned to death by means of execution. Throughout the course of the story, the author utilizes both flashbacks and imagery to create emotions of suspense as Farquhar faces his inevitable downfall.
ReplyDeleteDuring the sequence of the story, Bierce incorporates flashbacks in order to describe the lifestyle of Farquhar prior to the events on the bridge. In the exposition, little is known or established about the titular character; however, in section two, the author provides some necessary history: “He is a well to do planter, of an old and highly respected Alabama family” (Bierce 2). Here, the nameless character in the first part of the story is finally given an identity. As the section continues, the suspense grows as the reader delves deeper into the character’s past. The audience learns of Farquhar’s wife, children, personal life, and most importantly his encounter with the federal scout. The confrontation between Farquhar and the soldier establishes the conflict of the story as well as informs the reader as to why he is in his current situation. This detour in context encourages the reader to continue the story in order to discover the outcome of the events.
Additionally, the author includes multiple instances of fantastical imagery to draw suspense to Farquhar’s situation. Specifically, in part three of the short story, Bierce utilizes details that are contrary to literary realism while also establishing a broken sense of time: “Encompassed in a luminous cloud, of which he was now merely the fiery heart, without material substance, he swung through unthinkable arcs of oscillation, like a vast pendulum. Then all at once, with terrible suddenness, the light about him about him shot upward with the noise of a loud splash; a frightful roaring was in his ears, and all was cold and dark” (Bierce 2). These sensory details amplify the intensity of the situation by adequately describing what Farquhar is experiencing during his alleged escape. The descriptive images of this passage allow for the audience to fully interpret the suspense of the conflict. It enables for the reader to connect with the characters on a deeper level as they are submerged in both the auditory and visual surroundings of the character.
Bierce incorporates both flashbacks and imagery into his short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” in order create an atmosphere of suspense among the audience. Flashbacks serve a crucial role as they alter the structure of the story and help the audience penetrate the thoughts of the characters. Furthermore, imagery allows for the reader to delve deeper into the character’s situation and emotions. When these elements are combined, the short story truly emits notions of suspense.
Very good job analyzing the author's writing! This really helped clear up the author's descriptions in chronological order. I completely agree that the story began with a more vague description of the setting and characters while growing more in depth as the story progressed.
DeleteI thought that your use of concrete evidence such as direct quotes really sold your point of how the author characterized the protagonist and his family. I also found it interesting that you claimed the conflict began when Peyton conversed with the federal scout. Personally, I did not even think the conflict began until the protagonist was captured and on his way to be hanged.
Lastly, I really enjoyed your choices of imagery for evidence! I feel that those quotes had a lot more literary meaning than when I first read them in the story. For example, Peyton being the "fiery heart" of the cloud represents that he is the focus of the whole event. The sole purpose for the gathering was to hang the "criminal."
-Tommy Rackoski
Ambrose Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is a short story which analyzes the faded line that separates Peyton Farquhar’s fantasy from his reality. Bierce uses personification, symbolism, and vivid detail in order to illustrate the theme of death.
ReplyDeleteBierce uses personification to describe Death in order to allude to Farquhar’s inevitable demise. The author writes, “Death is a dignitary, who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him” (Bierce 1). Describing Death as a high ranking official, Bierce develops a sardonic tone and creates a surrealistic feeling which makes it difficult for the reader to distinguish between fantasy and reality. Representing Death as an omnipresent character, establishes death’s importance in the story as a major theme that will be present throughout “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.”
Symbolism is used to foreshadow future events in the short story by drawing together Farquhar’s fantasy and reality. Bierce writes, “A piece of driftwood caught his attention and his eyes followed it down the current. How slowly it appeared to move! What a sluggish stream!” (Bierce 1). In this story, the piece of driftwood symbolizes Farquhar’s freedom. Farquhar first sees it when he is about to get hanged and remarks about its slow pace floating down the stream. This symbol of freedom ties together Farquhar’s reality and fantasy when he begins to fantasize that he falls into the stream and struggles to escape. Farquhar’s movements in his fantasy mirror that of the driftwood. This connection bridges the gap between Farquhar’s fantasy and reality, while highlighting the hazy line that exits between his life and death.
The use of detail in “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” emphasis the subtheme of time which in turn sheds light on the importance of death in the short story. Bierce expertly describes the ticking of Farquhar’s watch writing, ‘The intervals of silence grew progressively longer; the delays became maddening. With their greater infrequency the sounds increased in strength and sharpness. They hurt his ear like the threat of a knife; he feared he would shriek. What he heard was the sound of his watch” (Bierce 1). This passage from the short story introduces the subtheme of time as an unpredictable, menacing abstract idea. As the story progresses, time plays a vital role, sometimes running glacially slow, then abruptly shifting to a fast pace. All of these shifts emphasize the blurry line that exists between life and death.
Bierce’s use of personification, symbolism, and detail create a surrealistic setting in which the reader cannot tell what is real and what is fantasy. This faded line between fantasy and reality, alludes to a deeper contrast between life and death. Through this short story, the author urges the reader to acknowledge the profound similarities that exist between fantasy and reality.
I think you did a really nice job describing the author's use of literary elements to show how the Bierce distinguishes between fantasy and reality. I agree that the subtheme of time sheds light on the importance of death because in the story his state of fantasy makes his death seem to last longer whereas in reality it would not have taken that long. The driftwood does infact symbolize his freedom which he never ends up getting and I like how you incorporated that into your essay.
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ReplyDeleteIn the short story, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," Ambrose Bierce demonstrates that a change in the focus of a story is able to skew the meaning of a passage as a whole. He does this by utilizing changes in perspective which are only evident to the audience and by utilizing plot changes.
ReplyDeleteThe changes in perspective help to change the meaning of the passage as a whole. The author inserts a break in the description of the situation when he transitions into the second portion, “As these thoughts… were flashed into the doomed man’s brain” (Bierce 2). The classic flash of life when you are about to die comes into play to add deeper meaning and give further detail on the back story of the happening. The second portion of the story goes on to describe the life Farquhar, the hanged man, lived before he was about to die. It adds in where he’s from to give the setting of the story and how the civil war is going on at the time of the story. The third portion describes his actual final thoughts before death, what his life would have shaped out to be if he had indeed escaped the incident. The plot puts all of this in chronological order and changes the meaning of the passage as a whole.
The plot is able to clarify the abrupt changes in perspective of the story. The entire story is not chronologically in order, with the second portion occurring before the first and the third portion not even occurring. The author brings this to light in the last sentence of the short story, “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 7). This implies that the third portion of the story never actually took place, but rather was a figment of the victim’s imagination just before his death. While he thought that he had escaped, in reality he had perished at the hands of the rope.
Ambrose Bierce is able to demonstrate that a change in the focus of a story is able to skew the meaning; he is able to do this by utilizing plot changes and changes in the perspective of the story. Without stylistic elements, writing would mean nothing.
In the short story, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge", Ambrose Bierce creates suspense by using changes in time and Peyton Farquhar's senses throughout the story.
ReplyDeleteBierce keeps the reader involved in the story by using flashbacks. Mainly, this is when Peyton is first introduced and his life as a slave owner is just mentioned. He is described as a "well to do planter" and is also "devoted to the Southern cause."(Bierce, 2) This heightens our understanding of his viewpoints in the story. Also, when the Northern soldier comes to his house and informs him of the consequences of tampering with the railroads, a subtle form of tension is conceived. Overall, the implementation of the past in the story, helps to suggest why Farquhar would meddle with the railroads later on, ultimately creating suspense.
In addition to the flashbacks, tension is built in the story through the use of Peyton Farquhar's senses. First off, when Farquhar hears the sound, "striking through the thought of his dear ones was a sound which he could neither ignore nor understand, a sharp, distinct, metallic percussion like the stroke of a blacksmith's hammer upon the anvil; it had the same ringing quality."(Bierce, 1), it represents his pain of breaking from his "dear ones". In fact, it could also foreshadow his impending death, which in itself creates suspense. Later on, Farquhar uses his sense of sight to describe a "distant gleam of light"(Bierce, 2), that slowly fades away and becomes faint. In a way, this could symbolize his inevitable loss of life and generates suspense in the eyes of the readers as well.
Overall, the use of the past in the story to illustrate Farquhar's thoughts and character, as well as the use of his sense of sound and sight, contribute to the establishment of suspense in this short story.
I think you did an excelent job here, i agree with your thoughts on how Bierce created supense throught he flashbacks and the use of his senses. I think you could have gone more into depth about his flasbacks but other than that what a great job. I also loved reading your response because i was thinking the same thing as i read thtought through the story like when he saw the light and that made me think is he gonna die? but good ideas overall.
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ReplyDeleteIn part two, Bierce finally gives the man a name and a story. By talking about how Farquhar ended up at the owl creek bridge, the readers are able to understand that this is a flashback. The use of different tenses also give it away. In comparison to the first part where it says, “the man stood upon a railroad bridge…” In part two, the tense changes while the imagery becomes more vivid when it says, “One evening while Farquhar and his wife were sitting on a rustic bench near the entrance to his grounds, a gray-clad soldier rode up to the gate and asked for a drink of water.” By comparing the two, not only does the setting effect the transition into the flashback but the use of imagery indicates that part two does not take place in the same time and setting as part one so they must be occurring at different times.
ReplyDeletethe story fulling immerses into Farquhar’s fantasy in part three where he imagines his escape from the soldiers surrounding him and his return to his family. The setting is the water in which he was thrown into but in his fantasy, he was able to see everything that surrounded the owl creek bridge such as the forest, fish, and multiple creatures including spiders and dragonflies. The use of imagery is so vivd that it almost seems unreal. Bierce uses strong diction to give details of what is going on in Farquhar’s head such as in the line, “ …a share pain in his wrist apprised him that he was trying to free his hands. He gave the struggle his attention, as an idler might observe the feat of a juggler…” Farquhar imagines freeing himself from the rope that traps him and this indicates that in his fantasy, he is able to survive whereas in reality, he dies. Though in real life Farquhar is thrown into the water, the was he addresses the water and what its like is different from what is actually happening. This is because in his head the water is his escape route where are in real life it is the place of his death.
Using setting and imagery to illustrate the author’s use of fantasy vs. reality ultimately reveals the overall theme of the story which is that things don't always happen the way one wants and sometimes the fantasy is always better than the reality. This is shown by what Farquhar thinks about, such as his happy family. The way he imagines going back to his wife and children doesn't play out that way in real life and the author makes it clear from the very beginning that Farquhar’s life was to end without any of his fantasies becoming realties. The setting also plays into the theme because while in reality the owl creek bridge very quite and dreary, in Farquhar’s fantasies, it is full of life with spiders spinning webs and dragonflies buzzing around. Overall, the distinction between fantasy and reality is better shown through setting and imagery to point out the main theme of the story.
Great post Shriti! I answered the same discussion question that you did and I really enjoyed reading your unique perspective on the topic. It was interesting to read how the setting and imagery of the short story impacted the theme. I especially enjoyed how you structured your response to reflect the three different parts of the short story. Indicating the shifts in perspective, as well as context, which occur in each section of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” did an excellent job of illuminating Bierce’s use of fantasy vs. reality. In addition, I thought that the theme of the story that you provided was insightful an original. Incorporating the idea that life events do not always happen the way that we expect them to makes the theme of the short story more universally relatable. Lastly, I really liked the way that you delved into Farquhar’s character. Exploring the complexities of his character allowed me to relate more to not only his character, but the whole piece as well.
DeleteIn the short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce, fantasy and reality are intertwined to display the theme of the relativity of time. Imagery and plot are used to create the distinction between fantasy and reality.
ReplyDeleteImagery is used to enhance Farquhar's sensations in his fantasy, making his fantasy seem like a reality to himself and readers. As Farquhar is falling down from the bridge, he feels "keen, poignant agonies" that seem to"shoot from his neck downward through every fiber or his body and limbs" (Bierce 2). Realistically, he would have died seconds after the sergeant stepped aside, but his ability to feel all the sensations described through tactile imagery show how in those seconds, Farquhar created a fantasy world where he had a chance to escape. The perception of time in reality versus in Farquhar's fantasy are very different. For Farquhar, being near death causes his mind to create a fantasy- an alternate scenario- where there is more time, kind of like how it is said that your whole life flashes before your eyes during a near death experience.
Plot is also used distinguish reality from fantasy. By leaving the climatic execution at "the sergeant stepped aside," readers are left to infer that Farquhar falls to his death. Then in part 3, the storyline is picked up again from where the execution left off. Farquhar is somehow alive and escaping, at least this is what it seems like to readers and Farquhar, however, what happens next is only in Farquhar's mind. This is made clear at the resolution: "Peyton Farquhar was dead; his body, with a broken neck, swung gently from side to side beneath the timbers of the Owl Creek bridge." The resolution denies that anything that happened after the time the sergeant stepped off the plank was reality. It confirms that Peyton Farquhar only fell from the bridge and was dead upon impact within a few seconds. This distinguishes Farquhar's whole escape, which would have taken much more than the few seconds that actually went by, from reality and shows how he had perceived time differently as he came closer to death.
In this short story, a theme is that time is relative to the person and situation. Farquhar's near death experience cause his perception of time to be much different from reality; his mind creates a fantasy where he can escape the situation. For a person in the face of death, time can become irrelevant.
I strongly agree with your response! I was synonymous in my ideas of the reality vs illusion concept being exemplified through imagery. I enjoyed your slightly different perspective however. I enjoyed reading your concept of how time was relative in his situation in the differing fantasy and reality for him. I shared the same opinion on how imagery was implemented in the story to impact the reader to indulge in Peyton's twisted perspective. My favorite phrase in your essay was, "For a person in the face of death, time can become irrelevant." I think this is a great thesis and closing statement because it is concise, but embodies the argument of the essay in such a short phrase. Your essay was a great read as I could tell the central argument in all of the paragraphs and the evidence that was used clearly supported the response's points. Great job Bao An!
DeleteIn Ambrose Bierce’s short story, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”, Bierce exemplifies the final thoughts of an indicted Confederate sympathizer awaiting his sentence. Bierce employs elements such as imagery and foreshadowing to progress the plot and build up suspense to the unexpected climax of when illusion meets reality with an abrupt resolution.
ReplyDeleteBierce uses imagery in the short story throughout the main character’s moments of observation. Creating an entire new visual world for the audience, Bierce described the situation with intense detail from the condemned man’s perspective. With the description of his executors, “..directed by a sergeant who in civil life may have been a deputy sheriff. At a short remove upon the same temporary platform was an officer in the uniform of his rank, armed. He was a captain.” The use of imagery creates an eerie atmosphere in which Peyton, the condemned man, lives in for his final moments. Peyton, with no alternative but to await death, may do nothing but observe and record his surroundings as they will be the last thing he physically can see before his hanging. Another example of imagery is used, “Objects were represented by their colors only; circular horizontal streaks of color-that was all he saw.” After seemingly evading his death and escaping, Peyton stumbles upon a shore by the riverbank and sees a hopeful image of the wilderness and nature, which signifies his successful escape and freedom. However this is only and shortsighted hopeful sight, demonstrating Peyton's desperation to live. The use of the imagery as an element in the short story characterizes the desperation of the character, as well as develops the plot for the audience.
Bierce uses another element of foreshadowing to give the audience a greater background of the situation as well as a glimpse into Peyton's demise. The author foreshadows to Peyton's destiny after the reveal of the trap insinuated by the union spy who visited his home. This lets the reader know that the information was faulty and that the protagonist will be fooled and caught. The foreshadowing allows for the reader to anticipate the outcome of Peyton and creates a suspenseful sensation. The foreshadowing utilized by the author adds depth to the story and the situation Peyton finds himself in, real and imaginary.
The occurrence at Owl Creek implements elements to progress the reader through the plot to the impending death. As the elements used by the author expands the depth of the plot, the suspense synonymously increases, as more and more information is revealed of the precarious situation. The utilization of the elements of imagery and foreshadowing advances the plot which in turn builds suspense through the protagonist’s progression through his allusion and its abrupt snap back into his reality of his inevitable death.
In the short story, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” Ambrose Bierce uses structure to express the contradictory conclusions of what actually occurs versus what Peyton wishes would occur by describing the thoughts of Peyton prior to the outcome of the tragedy.
ReplyDelete“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” opens up with the narrator’s limited omniscient 3rd person description of the setting. This introduction provides a rather unbiased description of the events about to take place, and sets the tone for the story.
Section two of the story gives the reader a more in depth description of the protagonist, Peyton Farquhar, in order to shed light on who he is and how he wound up in his current situation. This is done by having a less limited point of view in order to better analyze Peyton’s thoughts and actions. This section transitions to help define Peyton and his family as devoted southerners whom support the confederate cause. This devotion is what makes Peyton want to aid the south in the war, as he feels that he isn’t making a difference in the war efforts by simply working his farm.
The final section of the short story is not only the most distinguishable, but is also the most significant section. This is because the plot twists from accepting death to fighting against it. Peyton slips out of his noose, falls into the water, and swim off while dodging several volleys of bullets. Peyton’s eagerness and desire to be home with his family is emphasized with the simile “It looked like diamonds, rubies, emeralds; he could think of nothing beautiful which it did not resemble.” This simile shows how the river bank represents security and comfort for Peyton, both of which were needed for him to make it home safe. The ending disrupts this entire plot when it reveals that this was actually all Peyton’s thought process. Peyton was simply imagining his escape when the executioner drops him off the bridge to his death.
-Tommy Rackoski
In the short story, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce he creates suspense by using flashbacks and by describing Farquhar's senses throughout the story.
ReplyDeleteBierce hooks the reader by showing flashbacks of Farquhar. the first flashback is when Farquhar was first introduced as a slave owner. Ambrose describes him as a "well to do planter" and "devoted to the Southern cause."(Bierce, 2) this explains to the reader that Farquhar supports the South. Another, is when a Northern soldier came to his house to inform him that there will be consequences for tampering with the railroads, we then realize there is tension in the story. Overall, the use of flashbacks in the story helps the reader better understand why Farquhar sabotages the railroads later on, creating suspense.
In addition to the use of flashbacks, tension builds in the story through the senses of Farquhar. First, when Farquhar hears the sound, “The intervals of silence grew progressively longer; the delays became maddening.”(Bierce, 1),it represents the silence he hears before he dies. It could also foreshadow his death later on when everything goes silent, which creates suspense. Next, Farquhar uses his sense of sight to describe a "distant gleam of light"(Bierce, 2), that slowly fades away. This foreshadows to the reader that he could be dead because we have all heard that when you die you see a distant light making the reader crave more to see what happens next.
Overall, the authors use of flashbacks in the story help reveal more about Farquhar's thoughts and character, as well as the use of his senses, contribute to the build up of suspense in this short story.
In the short story, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce, suspense is created and executed throughout the story due to due to the clever effectiveness of flashbacks, the setting, and the use of Peyton Farquhar's senses.
ReplyDeleteBierce effectively implements the clever timing and use of flashbacks in the story to create suspense and keep the readers involved. Through the unique sequencing of the story, the flashbacks inform readers of Farquhar's life and who he really is. In section 2, Farquhar is described as, “a well-to-do planter, as well as a slave owner who is devoted to the Southern cause”. Suspense builds during this particular part of the story because a Northern soldier in disguise arrives to their house and tells Farquhar the consequences of meddling with the Northern army's plan, “The Yanks are repairing the railroads…any civilian caught interfering with the railroad, its bridges, tunnels or trains will be summarily hanged”. This explains how Farquhar ended up in the situation he is because he was caught tampering with the bridge and sentenced to be hanged.
Suspense is also built in the story through the setting. The story is set in the time period around the American Civil War between the North and the Confederates. The first part illustrates the setting furthermore as a forest with a swift stream a water through it, "Swift water twenty feet below... The other bank of the stream was open ground--a gentle acclivity topped with a stockade of vertical tree trunks." The forest builds suspense itself because of the mysterious and ominous mood it sets on the story. It allows for readers to continue reading and pursue the true meaning behind the forest and what it consists of.
Throughout the story, Bierce uses Farquhar's senses to employ suspense and keep the readers hooked. As the story goes on Farquhar’s senses are heightened beyond those of a normal human being, evidenced by how he can even see the insects on each leaf of the trees on the creek bank from his position in the water, "The pain of a sharp pressure upon his throat... the light about him shot upward with the noise of a loud splash; a frightful roaring was in his ears, and all was cold and dark." Bierce's description of Farquhar's heightened senses create suspense by making readers continue reading to find out what his fate ends up becoming. His death is not made evident until the end of the story which makes everything leading up to it a suspense.