A Southern Hero

A detailed Summary of A Southern Hero


As "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" unfolds, the main character, Peyton Farquhar is wearing a rope around his neck, in preparation for his hanging. It is implied later in the story that he is being executed for the burning of the Owl Creek Bridge, where Union soldiers have set up a blockade. Farquhar is a gentleman planter and supporter of the southern secession living in Alabama during the Civil War. Ambrose Bierce, the author, portrays Farquhar as someone with courage, integrity and the ability to overcome any physical hardship.

Farquhar has the courage to contemplate burning the Owl Creek Bridge because there is no service "too humble for him to perform in aid of the South, no adventure too perilous for him to undertake" (82). According to a soldier who stops by the Farquhar residence, the Union commandant "issued an order", "declaring that any


When Farquhar imagines that the rope has broken during his execution, he demonstrates his ability to overcome physical hardships. He doesn't yield when the Union sharp shooters are firing at him in the swirling waters. Farquhar is under the deep water and instead of accepting death by drowning, he pushes away the water "vigorously with quick, downward strokes, forcing him to the surface" (84). While he is walking on the deserted road back to his house, he is not slowed by his weakened physical state. His neck was "horribly swollen", "his eyes felt congested" and his "tongue was swollen with thirst" (86). Rather than to think of the soldiers that are sure to be hunting him down, Farquhar thinks of his wife and children. He's not so certain of the outcome of the attempted escape, but nonetheless, he overcomes his discomfort and strives for life, instead of death.

Peyton Far

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Approximate Word count = 594
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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