Question

Do you think “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is an example of realism, even though Bierce employs romantic techniques in the story? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Answer 1

Answer:

Even though Bierce uses romantic techniques, the text has an ending with strong realist characteristics: "Peyton Farquhar was dead; his body, with a broken neck, swung gently from side to side beneath the timbers of the Owl Creek bridge." Although the majority of section 3 glorifies and paints an exhilarating picture of war with Peyton’s supposed escape, the reality is that war is gruesome and unforgiving. Bierce conveys this message with the story’s ending. The ending also demonstrates that in war, heroism doesn’t always triumph.  PLATO ANSWER