Study Guide For Ambrose Bierce: An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge Course Hero

<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <meta name="keywords" content="An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, Ambrose Bierce, short story, study guide, plot summary, character analysis, themes, symbols"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css"> <h2>Summary</h2> "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is a short story by Ambrose Bierce that was first published in 1890. The story is set during the American Civil War and tells the story of Peyton Farquhar, a Confederate soldier who is about to be hanged. As he stands on the bridge, Farquhar experiences a vivid hallucination in which he escapes from his captors and makes his way home to his family. However, the hallucination is ultimately revealed to be just that, and Farquhar is hanged. <h2>Characters</h2> * **Peyton Farquhar:** A Confederate soldier who is about to be hanged. Farquhar is a complex character who is both brave and resourceful, but he is also flawed and makes some poor decisions. * **The Federal officer:** The officer who is in charge of Farquhar's execution. The officer is a stern and unfeeling man who is determined to see Farquhar hanged. * **Farquhar's wife:** Farquhar's wife is a loving and supportive woman who is waiting for him at home. Farquhar's hallucination of escaping from his captors and returning home to his wife is one of the most powerful moments in the story. <h2>Themes</h2> * **The nature of reality:** One of the central themes of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is the nature of reality. The story raises questions about what is real and what is not, and it challenges the reader to think about the nature of their own reality. * **The power of the mind:** The story also explores the power of the mind. Farquhar's hallucination is a powerful example of how the mind can create its own reality, even in the face of death. * **The horrors of war:** "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is a powerful indictment of the horrors of war. The story shows the brutality of war and the devastating effects it can have on the human psyche. <h2>Symbols</h2> * **The bridge:** The bridge is a symbol of the divide between life and death. Farquhar is standing on the bridge as he is about to be hanged, and the bridge represents the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead. * **The rope:** The rope is a symbol of Farquhar's impending death. The rope is tied around Farquhar's neck, and it represents the fact that he is about to be hanged. * **The water:** The water is a symbol of life and hope. Farquhar's hallucination of escaping from his captors and returning home to his wife involves him swimming across a river. The water represents the possibility of life after death. "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is a powerful and thought-provoking short story that explores the nature of reality, the power of the mind, and the horrors of war. The story is a classic of American literature, and it continues to be studied and enjoyed by readers today.

Study Guide for Ambrose Bierce's An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Rosalind J. Marsh

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	672 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	128 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	194 pages
Item Weight	:	10.2 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.44 x 9 inches

FREE