Bierce, Ambrose: 1842-1914?

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, 1891 - Information about the Book

General Information | Facts | Articles

General Information
- The story concerns the final thoughts of a Southern planter as he is being hanged by Union soldiers.
- Information from Wikipedia
- Information from Encyclopedia
- Brief information from Literature Studies
Facts
- Gray indicates the Confederacy and thus the cause to which Farquhar sacrifices himself
- Awards: While not an award winner itself, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is widely studied and anthologized as a masterpiece of American short fiction that influenced many later writers.
- Topics
  
  Perception of Reality
  The story blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, as the protagonist Peyton Farquhar envisions an elaborate escape from his execution, only to reveal it was a dying dream. This challenges the reader's perception of what is real and highlights the subjective nature of human experience.
  
  Time and Consciousness Bierce employs a non-linear narrative structure and stream of consciousness technique to depict Farquhar's shifting sense of time as his mind races during his final moments. This innovative style was groundbreaking for its era and influenced later works of fiction.
  
  Death and Mortality
  The story grapples with the inevitability of death, particularly in the context of war. Farquhar's vivid fantasy represents a psychological coping mechanism to escape the harsh reality of his execution, underscoring humanity's desire to transcend mortality.
  
  Dehumanization of War
  Through Farquhar's dehumanizing treatment by the Union soldiers, the story critiques the brutality and injustice inherent in warfare, where human life is disregarded. This anti-war sentiment reflects Bierce's own experiences in the Civil War.
  
  In exploring these weighty existential themes through its haunting twist ending, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" cemented its place as a seminal work of American literature.
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- Themes
- Characters
- Symbols
- General Perception
  
  Bierce's story is often praised for its sophisticated narrative technique.
  Bierce's depiction of Farquhar's perceptions and thoughts during the final moments of his life is considered a masterful portrayal of the human psyche under extreme stress.
  
  Since its publication, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" has been widely anthologized and studied in literature courses, recognized for its literary merit and innovative use of narrative. Critics and readers alike appreciate Bierce's concise yet powerful storytelling, and the story remains a staple in discussions of American literature and Civil War fiction.
  
  Overall, the story is seen as a pioneering work that combines elements of realism, psychological fiction, and modernist narrative techniques, making it a significant piece in both Bierce's oeuvre and American literary history.
  
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- Reader Rating:
Articles
- A Summary and Analysis. "The style of Bierce’s short story, and the narrative skill he displays, both prefigure the modernist innovations of twentieth-century writers like James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and Katherine Mansfield." Loughborough University
- What is the setting of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge"? with teaching information. e Notes, Curt Southern; August 21, 2023
- Analysis: "The color gray is used as a symbol throughout the entirety of the story. It is a mixture of both black and white and often represents something that is unclear—not one way or another. Grey is also very bland and cool, which sets the tone of the scene as cold, bare, and somber." Aly Codiroli; February 18, 2014