For This Essay You Will Be Responding To Bierce's An Occurre

For This Essay You Will Be Responding To Bierces An Occurrence At Owl

For this essay you will be responding to Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." Using the story, develop a classification/division essay that focuses on either Peyton Farquhar, our main character, or Bierce's twist ending. What are we classifying? In the case of Peyton, how do you feel about him? Is he a tragic hero, an unfortunate man who simply got in over his head and had to pay the steepest of prices for his folly? Or, is Peyton a bit of buffoon? Do you think that perhaps, he overestimates himself and what he's capable of? Just what does he mean when he claims to be "a student of hanging" anyway? If you want to tackle the twist, then you would classify as an effective, surprising twist, or did you find it rather predictable? Did Bierce do something in the story that gave you a hint as to how he planned to end it? Be sure to write an attention grabbing introduction with the thesis placed at the end of it.

Paper For Above instruction

Ambrose Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is a masterful short story that explores themes of illusion, reality, and the human mind’s perception of time and death. Central to its impact is the story’s twist ending, which profoundly alters the reader’s understanding of the protagonist, Peyton Farquhar. To analyze the story effectively, one can classify and explore the different facets of Peyton’s character—whether he embodies a tragic hero, a fool, or something in between—or examine the twist itself as a literary device and its effect on the narrative’s surprise or predictability. This essay will focus on the classification of Peyton Farquhar as either a tragic hero or a foolish man, and how Bierce’s narrative structure and subtle hints foreshadow the ending, heightening its effect.

First, Peyton Farquhar can be viewed through the lens of tragedy. As a planter and a family man, his desire to serve his country after the outbreak of the Civil War reveals his patriotism and idealism. His willingness to sacrifice himself, albeit naively, indicates a tragic hero—one who possesses admirable qualities but suffers a fatal flaw that leads to his downfall. Farquhar’s conviction that he can successfully outwit Union soldiers and his confidence in his own judgment portray an overestimation of his abilities, which aligns with classical tragic flaws. His perception of himself as “a student of hanging” underscores his obsession with death and his overconfidence in understanding the execution process, which ultimately bridges his fate.

Alternatively, one could classify Peyton as a fool or a man overestimating his courage and capabilities. His attempt to sabotage the Union supply lines and his belief that he can escape death demonstrate hubris—an overbearing pride and self-confidence. His ignorance of the grim realities of war and execution renders him somewhat gullible or reckless, perhaps overestimating his strategic prowess. His declaration of himself as “a student of hanging” may signify his fascination with death, but it can also reflect a dangerous arrogance—thinking he understands and can manipulate the process when, in reality, he is tragically naive.

The twist ending further complicates the classification. The story suggests that Peyton’s experience of escape and reunion with his family is merely a vivid hallucination—a final fantasy formed in his dying moments as he faces the noose. This twist is effective because Bierce plants subtle clues, such as the way the story describes light, movement, and the fleeting nature of time. Details like the dripping of water and specific sensations foreshadow the fabricated nature of Peyton’s experience. However, some readers might find the twist predictable if they notice the story’s overall tone, the emphasis on perception, and Bierce’s reputation for ironic endings. Still, the story’s clever narrative structure and ambiguous details make the surprise emotionally compelling and thought-provoking rather than entirely foreseeable.

In conclusion, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” employs a clever classification of Peyton Farquhar’s character—either as a tragic hero caught in his own hubris or as an overconfident fool—highlighting human vulnerability and the illusions of perception. Moreover, the story’s twist ending serves as a powerful literary device that challenges our assumptions about reality and death. Bierce’s masterful use of foreshadowing and irony ensures that the ending remains impactful, whether perceived as surprising or inevitable. Ultimately, the story underscores the intricate relationship between perception and reality, leaving readers to ponder the thin line separating life from death and illusion from truth.

References

• Bierce, Ambrose. “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” In The Oxford Book of American Short Stories, edited by Joyce Carol Oates. Oxford University Press, 1992.
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• Fitzgerald, F. Scott. “The Art of the Short Story.” The Atlantic Monthly, 1936.