�An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge� Questions
1. In Part 1, 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?
It gives the reader suspense by leaving us in wonderment about how he was condemned and how he will be killed. The reader constantly tries to find the reason by reading for the clues in the story and it keeps them focused.
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?
His perceptions in his final moments show us how fast his memories race through his head. His ticking of the watch because it keeps slowing down.
3. What seems to be the narrator�s attitude toward Farquhar in Part II? What is the narrator�s attitude toward war?
The narrator thinks that he is patriotic and stupid. He fell for the trick that the Federal prompted him to do. He is a farmer and politician, but he wants to be a Confederate soldier.
4. Considering the outcome of the story, what is ironic or surprising about Farquhar�s longing for the �larger life of a soldier?� What is ironic about the fact that Farquhar agrees with the saying that �all is fair in love and war?�
A lot of the soldiers die because he thinks that the soldier life is easy. �All is fair in love and war� means that he tried to connect with the soldiers and the first second, he is hanged.
5. What details in Part III suggests 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?
His senses are too good, his neck aches, his brain is on fire, he cant feel the ground, his heart is trying to force itself out of his mouth.
6. Explain whether you think the portrayal of Farquhar�s final thoughts and sensations is realistic.
His thoughts were too detailed and the descriptions of his thoughts were very well. Yes, it was very realistic if it really did happen.
7. Point of view refers to the vantage point from which the story is told. 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?
If it was a soldier, the story would�ve been much shorter because it wasn't the thoughts of a dying man.
8. How does Bierce�s use of flashback contribute to the effectiveness of the story?
It builds suspense by making us guess what has happened to him and totally leaving us on a untold note.