Question

In 5-10 sentences explain why Ambrose Bierce does not write his story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, in chronological order. What do we learn from Farquhar’s flashbacks? How does this impact readers understanding of the story?

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is a short story by American author Ambrose Bierce set during the Civil War. The main character, Peyton Farquhar, is tricked into trying to burn a bridge that would allow Union soldiers to cross into Confederate territory.

Bierce does not narrate this story in chronological order. By doing that, he gets to trick readers, especially towards the end. In the first part of the story, Farquhar is already about to be hanged, having been accused of treason. However, the second part is a flashback. We get to know who Farquhar is and how he got tricked into trying to burn the bridge. In part three, the narrator deceives readers. It is time to actually hang Farquhar. But, while Bierce separated reality and flashback into two different parts before, he does not do that now. Reality and hallucinations are mixed. We are led to believe that the noose broke and that Farquhar was able to escape and return home. We are brought back to reality in a sudden, almost cruel way:

Peyton Farquhar was dead; his body, with a broken neck, swung gently from side to side beneath the timbers of the Owl Creek bridge.

Farquhar never escaped. He hallucinated in the brief moments it took him to die from hanging.