An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge Analysis

Directly following the American Civil War the concepts of realism and naturalism became more prominent. These ideas were considered a part of the Realistic Period which lasted from 1865 to 1914. This was a time when optimism and romanticism were rejected in writing and the focus was on what life was actually like. This type of author was known as a realist writer, they fixated on the “loss of innocence” and removed idealized subjects from their stories. Since the Civil War had recently ended, one of the most popular themes in writing was on patriotism and heroism. In Ambrose Bierce’s story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” (1890) the perception of patriotism brings to light the reality that people should not develop unattainable goals or
Ambrose Bierce’s story denies the audience the satisfaction of the stereotypical “happy ending”. Instead Bierce focuses on the harsh reality that is facing the consequences of one’s own foolish actions. He emphasizes his main point by showing his readers what really happens when someone acts before they think.
Like many people during that time period the main character, Peyton Farquhar desires to be a part of the making of history, he wants to be known as a hero. Someone who’s gallant efforts helped win the war. The protagonist decides to risk fate and attempt to aid the Confederacy. His plan fails and he is captured before he is killed he fantasizes of a grand escape and a long trek home to his family. Bierce uses imagery and symbolism to allow the reader to seamlessly transition from reality into fantasy. He also uses symbolism to elude to the fact that what’s being described is not real and never
Everything is different and odd, it is not what his route normally looks like. Bierce describes the area as an untraveled and untouched place that is dark and eerie. In detail he explains, “Overhead, as he looked up through this rift in the wood, shone great garden stars looking unfamiliar and grouped in strange constellations. He was sure they were arranged in some order which had a secret and malign significance” (Pg. 6). He also writes that Peyton hears voices in the woods speaking in a different language. All of these details are significant, they are unrealistic and directly correlate to fictional ideas. The evil looking stars and scary voices represent the darkness that is approaching Peyton. They are all foreshadowing something negative happening, which is exactly what