An Occurancs at Owl Creek Bridge

In the third part of the story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, the point of view is of Peyton Farquhar, but it is in the third person. This story is put into this view just a few seconds before he dies. This particular point of view in this part of the story is appropriate because it gives the reader an inside view, if you will, to the characters death. If it was coming out of one of the guards, or the executioner's point of view we wouldn't get the same gist of the story. By doing it out of the main character's point of view, we are able to get the full feeling of what the character goes through.

Ambrose Bierce tries to make us feel sympathy for the Confederate army. Since the view is found out of a Confederate soldier, we are more inclined to feel his pain more, and in turn, have sympathy for him.

"...two private soldiers of the Federal army, directed by a sergeant who in civil life may have been a deputy sheriff." (Page 468)

"How coldly and pitilessly-with what an even, calm intonation, presaging, and enforcing tranquility in the men-with what accurately measured intervals fell those cruel words:

'Attention, company!...Shoulder arms!...Ready!...Aim!...Fire!'

In the beginning of the story, it doesn't really take sides, but as you get further into the story, you can see the cruelty that the armies inflicted upon each other.

At first, I thought Farquhar to be an enemy. My response and feeling toward him at first were negative. When the story progressed, I began to respect him through his bravery and his quick thinking.

"The hunted man saw all this all this over his shoulder; he was now swimming vigorously with the current. His brain was as energetic as his arms and legs; he thought with the rapidity of lightning."

In a lot of cases people will not use their common sense. In Farquhar's case, he uses his quick mind to get out of his bindings.

"He was not conscious of an effort, but a sharp pain in his wrist apprised him that he was trying to free his hands...The cord fell away; his arms parted and floated upward, the hands dimly seen on each side in the growing light. He watched them with a new interest as first one and the other pounced upon the noose at his neck. They tore it away and