An occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

OCB Questions

1. In Section I, Bierce includes few details about the condemned man and does not reveal the reason why he is being hanged. How does this help create suspense?

This leaves the reader wondering what the man did in order to have the noose around his neck.

2. In what ways are the condemned man's perceptions of time and motion distorted as he is waiting to be hanged? Why are his distorted perceptions important?

He hears the ticking of his watch very loudly and slow like the sound of a blacksmith's anvil. This shows that time is slowing down and he is very aware in the moments before his death.

3. What is a sentinel?

A soldier or guard whose job is to stand and keep watch.

4. What is the significance of the man’s perception of his ticking watch?

The significance of this is to show that time is slowing down and and allowing him to process what is about to happen.

5. In Section II, Bierce finally introduces Peyton Farquhar.  Why place this information in the middle of the story, and in a flashback?   How does this authorial decision contribute to suspense and our sympathies toward Farquhar?

This adds suspense to the story since the identity of the man is not given until later. This also causes us to feel bad for him because we find out about his family.

6.  Why was Farquhar captured?  Why did the Federal scout lie?

Farquhar was captured when spying on the troops. The Federal scout lied in order to be able to catch him.

7. What details in Part III suggest that Farquhar's journey occurs in his mind? How is the journey connected with the plan of escape that occurs to him moments before he is hanged?

The details like how he is able to dodge bullets and see far enough to know where the eyes of the shooter are looking show that this is not actually happening. The plan goes exactly as he thought.

8.  What is the ultimate fate of Peyton Farquhar?  About how long did it truly take for the events of the story to unfold?

Peyton Farquhar does die on the bridge. It takes the whole story for him to realize what has happened. It happens over the course of a few seconds.

9. Why is the limited third-person point of view appropriate for this story? How might the story be different if Bierce had used an omniscient third-person narrator?

This adds suspense. If there was an omniscient third-person narrator the surprise would have been given away at the beginning of the story.

10. Were you surprised by the ending?  Why or why not?

Yes I was very surprised because I did think those things were really happening.