An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

A detailed Summary of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge


Ambrose Bierce's short story transpires in Northern Alabama at Owl Creeks Bridge. This bridge is used for railroads to crossover the river unearthed below. The scenery as describes in the story is a forested area on a bright sunny day and carries over night until the next mourning. This time frame is in the eyes of the main character, Peyton Farquhar, but in actuality the events in the story occurs in less than a day, realistically in a few hours. Farquhar is minutes from being hung from the Owl Creek Bridge. Surrounding him in this formal hanging is the Army, which consists of two private soldiers, a Sergeant, an armed uniformed Captain, sentinels and an observing single company of infantry with riffles at ease. Farquhar, is a 35 year-old civilian planter who is a slave owner and possesses a straight nose, firm mouth, broad forehead, mustache, a pointed beard and colossal dark gray eyes. He is also an active politician, and is


married with children. Farquhar is being executed for his actions by the Army in an almost ceremonial manner for violating the orders of a commandant that stated, "Any civilian that is caught interfering with the rail road, it's bridges, tunnels, or trains will be summarily hung." The story's viewpoint switches from a narrator to Farquhar himself and the transition takes place as Farquhar feels the noose snap and his body hurl to the stream underneath. He manages to unrestrained his hand from the rope after being submerged under water and immediately attempts to free his neck, but elected not to because it was keeping water from invading his lungs. He propels himself up to the surface and then frees his neck. Looking up above him, he could see his executioners pointing and shouting at him. While gathering his surroundings he hears the excruciating sounds of bullets entering the water and splashing mist in his face. He glares up

Some common words found in the essay are:
Bridge Surrounding, Knowing Captain, Creeks Bridge, Peyton Farquhar, Ambrose Bierce's, rail road,

Approximate Word count = 629
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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