Character Analysis: An Appearance At Owl Creek Bridge

Having the will and the desire to live be what can manage ones’ life from a life threatening situation. When it comes down to it, having the will to fight to live from a disease, or a mortal wound is different than someone jumping off a building knowing their end. Yet, midair they start to realize they want to live. What is living? Living is having life, being able to a reproduce, having a heartbeat, and being able to grow. If you are a living organism you possess the will to live. When it comes to the work known as An Appearance at Owl Creek Bridge, it shows the will to live in a surreal, and fantasy like manner.

This story is about a man named Peyton Farquhar, who disobeyed the law of the land and was hung for it. He was “a planter, of an old and highly respected Alabama family. “ It starts giving the details of Farquhar, by just stating his frame “Straight nose, firm mouth, broad forehead, from which his long, dark hair was combed straight back falling behind his ears to the collar of his well-fitting frock coat.”(Bierce, 318) They go a tad further explaining that even though he was no vulgar assassin that the military was known not to exclude gentlemen. Reading about Farquhar, it seemed that he was a bit delusional when it came to his sense of importance. He tried to see himself as a freedom fighter or someone who wanted to make a difference in a way that would be remembered by

all. He was not able to go to service with the army for reasons Ambrose did not see fit to tell. Ambrose did however state “he had fought the disastrous campaigns ending with the fall of Corinth, and he chafed under the inglorious restraint, longing for the release of his energies, the larger life of the soldier, the opportunity of distinction.”(Bierce, 320) Bierce gives the interpretation of Farquhar as one that avoids the responsibility of the military, yet still seeks and yearns for a way to be the hero. Basically, he wanted to be a hero without going through the work to get there.
Farquhar finally realizes his chance to fame, when a soldier comes by on his horse and stops at his house and ask for a glass of water. Farquhar asks about the army and how they are doing in the front. The soldier acknowledges his question and lets him know that they are working on Owl Creek Bridge, and putting a stockade on the bank. After telling him this important news he told Farquhar that, “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, 320) After this he questioned the soldier about how one could get to Owl Creek Bridge, and also the mileage to get there. Even though he wanted to help and do his service for his country, he disobeyed the law of the land. Furthermore, this lead to believe that he had the illusion that he could beat the government. The reason that the illusion is even more unbelievable is simply because of the fact that they had the bridge on watch. It was posted everywhere that any person seen there would be hanged. This gives the perception that he was very self-obsessed, and could easily been seen as cocky.
Finally we talk about the illusion pre death. As he gets tied correctly it comes to his mind “If I could free my hands, I might throw off my noose and spring into the stream. By diving I could evade the bullets and swimming vigorously, reach the bank, take to the woods, and get away home.”(Bierce, 319) Even though he possesses the will to live, it is extremely unlikely that the government would let there be any way for you to untie yourself from their tight rope. The water crashes below in a slow sense. He observes his surroundings and notices many things about the nature around him. As he closes his eyes while the noose is tied around his neck, he thinks of his loving family. Finally He drops and once that happens he finds himself in the water sinking lower and lower. He realizes this is his chance to break free from the ropes that are tied. He somehow finds a way to break loose. Not only that, but also he frees his feet while still being underwater. He was now in full possession of his physical senses. As he came to in the water it seems that he had supernatural senses that were super human like. As he gathered his surrounding he realized the gunmen all around him. He sees the commander with his pistol, but he does not shoot. He orders others to shoot and when that happens he dives as deep as possible to avoid the gunshots. He somehow manages to avoid all of the bullets, except one that goes through his shoulder. He found a way to the bank, and into the forest. Completely lost he finally found a road that looked familiar. Extremely exhausted he still found the will to get to his home. “Doubtless despite his suffering, he fell asleep while walking, for now he sees another scene----Perhaps he has merely recovered from a delirium.” (Bierce, 324) As he finally get home he realizes and sees everything just as he had left it. As he opened the gate after traveling all night, and also not passing one guard that should have been looking for him. He walks and sees his wife down the stairs waiting and smiling with happiness. “As he is about to clasp her, he feels a stunning blow to the back of his neck; a blinding white light blazes all about him, with a sound like the shock of a cannon –then all darkness and silence! 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, 324) The soldiers in reality would have been going straight to where they knew he was going; his home. There is also no way a confederate army would all miss their one target.
In this story the illusion and fantasy is great for a reader, but it also gives the sense of a false hope.

Although he thought he escaped we were quickly reminded of the unfortunate reality of the story. He showed the will to live in every aspect, but unfortunately did not live up to the hero title he felt he was accustomed to. This story puts in perspective the thought of listening to the rules given, and the consequences that follow. Also, it gives the thought that you can escape reality, but you cannot escape the inevitable of reality coming back; even when you least expect

it.