Bierce's short story,"An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge," was much more insightful then when I had read it in highschool. I apprichiated the descriptivness in his writtng style. It paints a picture and allows the reader to see as Peyton is experiencing his dreams or hallucinations before he is killed. The part where Bierce takes us to binocular, superhuman vision with Peyton was great and you can begin to understand that something weird is unfolding.I think Bierce created a main character that the reader felt compassion for. We know he was a gentleman and a simple planter. He was also willing to put his own life in danger to help protect his country- grounds for the title of a hero? I think so. What is the defeniton of a hero? I find that Peyton fits under the category of c in the link listed above. Though his desire of burning down the bridge failed and can't be credited for an achievment his actions and intentions shows a courageous being. Do we not consider those in the military heros, those who risk their lives for our saftey ? Peyton believed that he was doing his part in fighting against the Yankees. To bad he did not recognize he was benig set up by a federal scout posing to be a confederate solder.
So what do you think, is Peyton Farquhar considered to be a hero?
Peyton Farquhar is not a hero. Peyton may have had the best intentions in trying to burn down the bridge, but having good intentions does not make someone a hero. (By the way, the link didn't work for me, you may want to check it.) A hero is made by carrying out acts that forward the human race. (My personal defination) This also excludes the military; while they may forward one part of the human race, they don't forward the whole race.
Posted by: Diana at October 11, 2004 11:51 PMThe focus of this story is less on that of peyton being a hero. He represents the idea of death being the clearing at the end of life. He sees the light and is awakened. When time is slow and painfull he is in the real world. He distracts himself with anticipation and enters the dream world, so to say. Time speeds up and eveything happens within seconds. The point of the story is that he lives a desolate life, being a planter. He speaks of wanting to be a soldier, but prevented somehow. But in the very last paragraph, he expiriences a flash of light and then is gone. His life literally flashes before his eyes, but it is more like an alternate ending. Read it again and notice his use of words to portray the magic realism: time is rearranged, the dream is woven intricately into reality.
Posted by: Seth at April 28, 2005 1:23 PMYes. I love the images of him spinning or twirling in circles in the creek, subtly mimics his body spinning at the end of the noose on the bridge above. Bierce's dark humour and ability to tell a story without evoking any feeling or bias from the reader is great. He is great at detaching himself as a narrator, and detaching the reader, from the characters feelings.
Posted by: Brendon at February 6, 2006 7:04 PMwhy do you losers care it is stupid
Posted by: me at November 8, 2007 3:44 PM