an occurrence at owl creek bridge by ambrose bierce analysis

The sound of breaking glass was like shrieking sirens. The crunch of steel was like a Wagner crescendo. We are not privy to how close to being successful our gentleman of mayhem was to destroying the bridge, but we do know that his illusion of glory has ended in an inglorious, frankly embarrassing, reality.Īt moments like this something happens to our senses. Many times there is a razor thin line between success and failure. In other words, he is blinded by his vision of his own future achievement. His eyes are bespeckled by the splendorous beacon of glory. When he discovers that the bridge at Owl Creek has been rebuilt by the invading army of the Union, he decides this is his chance to do something for the Southern cause. He is a wealthy Alabama planter with a pretty wife and a passel load of children. In the code of military etiquette silence and fixity are forms of deference.”ĭue to unspecified reasons, Peyton Fahrquhar has never joined the glorious fight for the Confederacy, but he is a firm secessionist and is ardently devoted to the cause. ”Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him. To be a Gringo in Mexico-ah, that is euthanasia!' It beats old age, disease, or falling down the cellar stairs.

If you hear of my being stood up against a Mexican stone wall and shot to rags, please know that I think it is a pretty good way to depart this life. He wrote in one of his final letters: 'Good-bye.

He is believed to have traveled to Mexico to gain a firsthand perspective on that country's ongoing revolution.ĭespite an abundance of theories, Bierce's ultimate fate remains a mystery. This style often embraces an abrupt beginning, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, the theme of war, and impossible events.īierce disappeared in December 1913 at the age of 71.

Morrow.īierce employed a distinctive style of writing, especially in his stories. The sardonic view of human nature that informed his work – along with his vehemence as a critic, with his motto 'nothing matters' – earned him the nickname 'Bitter Bierce.'ĭespite his reputation as a searing critic, however, Bierce was known to encourage younger writers, including poet George Sterling and fiction writer W. Today, he is best known for his short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and his satirical lexicon, The Devil's Dictionary. Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (1842-1914) was an American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist and satirist.

An occurrence at owl creek bridge by ambrose bierce analysis