An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

Story: “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” 1891

Author: Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?)

Central character: Peyton Farquhar was a thirty-five year old civilian. He was a wealthy slave owner, and a farmer. Peyton was also a member of a highly respected family in Alabama. He tried to destroy the railroad bridge at Owl Creek, and because of this the Union Army has decided to hang him. He wanted the life of a soldier, and he was extremely devoted to the Southern cause. He was willing to do anything to show his devotion, no job was too big, nor too small.

Setting: Alabama during the Civil War

Narrator: Third Person, Omniscient

Events in Summary: (1) One evening while Farquhar and his wife sat on a bench, a Federal scout rode up and asked for a drink of water. Mrs. Farquhar was happy to serve the scout. While she was getting the water, Peyton and the soldier talked about the Yanks repairing the railroads. He told Peyton that they had built a stockade on the north bank of the Owl Creek Bridge. He informed him that any civilian caught interfering with the railroads, its bridges, tunnels or trains would be hung. He was curious to what one could accomplish if they weren’t caught and the scout told him there was a great quantity of driftwood against the wooden pier at that end of the bridge, he also said that it was dry and would burn like tow. (2) It can be assumed that Peyton decided to go and see what would happen. (3) Peyton Farquhar is about to be hung at a railroad bridge in Alabama. His hands were behind his back, his wrist were in cords, and there was a rope around his neck. Peyton and a couple of soldiers were the only people on the bridge. (4) After all of the necessary preparations were made, the two soldiers stepped aside and were ready to perform their duties. He watched the water that appeared just below his dangling feet and thought about different things. Peyton closed his eyes, so that his last thoughts were of his wife and children, but he couldn’t stay focused. (5) He began to think about ways to escape after going into the water. He figured if he could free his hands once in the water, he would be able to throw off the noose.