What Is Farquhar In An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” by Ambrose Bierce concerns a Southern Planation owner, Peyton Farquhar, who is being executed for aiding the South. His rebellious actions cause him to face death after creating an imaginary and hopeful escape.

By creating an ironic atmosphere at Owl Creek Bridge in northern Alabama, the author uses Farquhar to represent human’s vulnerability during times of war. The short story takes place at a specific time and place. During the time of Farquhar’s execution, the American Civil War was abroad in northern Alabama. The war between the North and South is essentially what causes Farquhar’s fate. He is a southern planter who owns slaves, “and like other slave owners a politician he was naturally an original

Farquhar and his wife encounter a Federal scout describing the North’s gain of Owl Creek Bridge. “They (the Union) have reached the Owl Creek bridge, put it in order and built a stockade on the north bank . . . . declaring that any civilian caught interfering with the railroad, its bridges, tunnels or trains will be summarily hanged” (147). This verifies that the Federal scout is warning the southern man and his wife to not engage in any questionable behavior against the Union. The man’s devotion to the South is being tested, as the visitors are posing a threat to the area. “That opportunity, he (Farquhar) felt, would come, as it comes to all in war time. Meanwhile he did what he could. No service was too humble for him to perform in aid of the South” (147). This shows that Farquhar won’t allow the Union’s takeover without him meddling in their affairs. Avoiding the Federal scout’s warning, he launches an attack on the Union, landing himself on the edge of Owl Creek bridge. “Looking down into the swift water twenty feet below. The man’s (Farquhar) hands were behind his back, the wrists bound with a cord. A rope closely encircled his neck” (145). This illustrates that Farquhar has been caught by the Union after his attack

The author changes the storyline by tricking the audience, illustrating Farquhar’s astonishing getaway. After dropping to meet his death, Farquhar was swinging like a pendulum; suddenly he hit the water with “a loud plash . . . ; he knew the rope had broken and he had fallen into the stream. There was no additional strangulation” (148). This shows that to the reader’s surprise, Farquhar has experienced a miraculous chance at freedom. Farquhar faces another problem; the soldiers in the Federal army tied his wrists behind his back, making it difficult to swim to the top and refresh his lungs. “He was not conscious of an effort, but a sharp pain in his wrist apprised him (Farquhar) that he was trying to free his hands . . . . what splendid effort!¬¬–what magnificent, what superhuman strength! Ah, that was fine endeavor! Bravo! The cord fell away” (148). This demonstrates that Farquhar’s hands are freed. The author expresses his action with sarcasm by using extreme exaggeration. This is very unusual considering the rope he was hanged from and the rope binding his hands both failed at their jobs. After reaching the surface, Farquhar must now avoid the shots from several armed Union soldiers. A sentinel fires a shot and, “The man in the water (Farquhar) saw the eye of the man (the sentinel) on the bridge gazing into his own through the sights of the rifle. He observed that it was a gray