"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge", by Ambrose Bierce, is a short trip into the depths of the human mind. Peyton Farquhar, a well to do planter, is preparing to hang by Union forces for trying to interfere with their plans in the South. Before Peyton's neck is broken he momentarily drifts into another plane of reality. Peyton Farquar escapes his death shortly by an intense will to escape which is found in all people, and through the way, the human mind reacts to such a situation. By falling through the hole, Peyton's brain immediately compensates through, what Hans Selye calls, "fight or flight". He continues to compensate as long as his brain will function, through the instinctual use of chemicals in the brain. "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is more of a case study of the human mind than an amusing short story.
             Hans Selye's biological responses, known as "general adaptation syndrome", outline what Peyton Farquhar experiences, along with what psychologists call a near death experience. GAS, or general adaptation syndrome, occurs as the body deals with stress. In the alarm stage, the body prepares for a "call to arms" and the adrenal glands secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormonal chemicals being to enhance the nervous system by making it more alert and enhancing all the senses. As Peyton fell through the bridge he "lost consciousness and was as one already dead", which is quite common in a situation with no escape (Literature 205). While his body is compensating his mind goes into flight mode. Peyton's only escape is through his own mind. What he begins to experience from this point forward is an altered state of consciousness that psychologists call a "near death experience" or "life flashing before a person's eyes". Although Peyton does die at the end, the brain still has the same neural response along with...