Occurence at owl creek Bridge
Ambrose Bierce's short story, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," takes place during the Civil War near Corinth, Alabama. The protagonist of the story, Peyton Farquhar, is a slave owner and a politician. In the story, Peyton is portrayed as a loving family man with a strong sense of awareness and an equally strong dedication to the South, and the southern cause in the war. Though Peyton has many different characteristics, the three traits mentioned are probably his strongest and have the most to do with the outcome of the story. Peyton is portrayed as a loving family man. Peyton has a wife and at least two children of his own. He comes from "an old and highly respected Alabama family"(259). His love for his family, although not directly stated, is apparent in Peyton's final thoughts before being hanged. While Peyton is only moments away from death, he closes "his eyes in order to fix his last thoughts upon his wife and children"(258). He yearns to return home to his family and is thankful that his "wife and little ones are still beyond the invader's farthest advance"(259). This statement shows how Peyton cares for his family's safety. As Peyton falls between the crossties a
nd is having the life choked out of him, he slips into a dream in which he escapes from the hands of his enemy and returns home. His final vision in his dream, before total darkness, is when he makes it to his plantation. He walks through the gate and he sees his wife: "she stands waiting, with a smile of ineffable joy, an attitude of matchless grace and dignity " (263). I think Peyton's last thought of his beautiful wife shows how much he cares for and loves her. The author, Ambrose Bierce, had actually served in the Civil War under the Union Army, First as a drummer boy and then eventually becoming a major by the end of the war; because of this he had first hand experience in the war and the events that took place. This fact is clearly evident in the author's clear depiction of the events and of the surroundings as well as his character descriptions. Peyton Farquhar is depicted as an average southern plantation owner who truly loves his family; he has a strong sense of awareness of his surroundings and an even stronger devotion to the southern cause. Peyton's admirable character traits eventually cost him his life. Love means to have intense affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties; enthusiasm or fondness. Peyton Farquhar was so fond of the south that he made the decision to risk his own life. I think its true that people do crazy things for love. It is a sad situation for P
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Approximate Word count = 962
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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