Symbolism In Driftwood's The Owl Creek Bridge

The Owl Creek Bridge is the main symbol in the story. It suggests both connection and transition whereas it can be taken literally as a structure that carries a road across a river, creating the connection between the North and South, and it can also represent the moment of transition between life and death in Farquhar’s life. The bridge serves as a structure joining the creek’s opposite banks, a connection between them. Similarly, the bridge joins life and death for Farquhar. As Farquhar “escapes” into the water, the bridge suggests a transitional space between fantasy and reality. Driftwood, as it makes its way downriver, symbolizes Farquhar’s elusive freedom as he begins imagining his own escape in the water. At first, the driftwood distracts