“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge was written by Ambrose Bierce has been acclaimed for its original structure and unique message. The novel addresses the harsh realities of the American Civil War, yet it combines the elements of realism and fantasy that set it aside from a range of similar stories. The short novel tells a story of Peyton Farquhar, who was sentenced to death by hanging by the members of the Union after he confused one of the Union soldiers for the member of the Confederacy and disclosed essential information to him. The story begins with the scene of Farquhar being about to executed and continues with a rather unexpected description of him escaping the clutches of death and fleeing to safety. Afterward, the events that led Farquhar to his desperate state are disclosed, and he finally reunites with his wife shortly after having a dreamlike sequence. The novel ends with the abrupt return to the hanging scene, showing that all the events starting from Farquhar’s escape were a figment of his imagination and, in reality, lasted for several minutes, at best. The novel ends with Farquhar being hanged, thus, becoming a grim study of human nature and the perception of death.