An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

It is true that in all great literature. Clues which later seem obvious are often undetected until the story's plot is resolved. The reader is unaware of the foreshadowing until the plot comes together. Ambrose Bierces " An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" and " A Horseman In The Sky" identify literary elements supporting this thought.

In Ambrose Bierces " An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" two private soldiers of the Federal army were appointed by a sergeant to lynch Peyton Farquhar from a elderly suspended bridge because of his attempt to aid the Confederate forces. He was to be executed for aiding the confederate forces. He knew his death was at his fingertips and couldn't help ponder its arrival. He looks at the river below observing the depth of the river. Early on in the story Ambrose portrays Peyton, from his perspective, seeing a shallow river. The fact that the river is shallow and will defiantly kill Peyton distracts the reader from the truth behind the mans observation. Peytonseeing the river shallow is foreshadowing the actual depth of the river. In fact the river is so deep that when the rope snaps it seems he falls endlessly in the water. The reader is eagerly awaiting the soon death of Peyton, then suddenly surprised while the river cushions his fall. Several other soldiers were relentlessly targeting the man at gun point as if he were prey. Although later on not one of the soldiers could shoot the man while he was escaping. Thus, foreshadows his escape from the river. He was also able to swim to a bank and avoid the deadly water rapids he earlier viewed.

In " The Horseman In The Sky" Ambrose portrays Virginian soldier ,Carter Druse, son to the opposing armies general. Early in the story Carter and his father converse in their kitchen. Carter was mocked by his father, called a traitor. He was told to carry out any manner which he was convinced was his duty. His father calling him a traitor leaves the reader some what clueless until the plot comes together, it isn't implied he is fighting against his son until the end. While on duty carter observes a intruder bearing close to their territory. The intruder has seen all of the soldiers and is going back to inform his army of the attack. While riding his horse Ambrose describes the horseman as having a leonine head. Implying the man must be grown and mature with long hair, foreshadowing it