A Southern Hero
As "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" unfolds, the main character, Peyton Farquhar is wearing a rope around his neck, in preparation for his hanging. It is implied later in the story that he is being executed for the burning of the Owl Creek Bridge, where Union soldiers have set up a blockade. Farquhar is a gentleman planter and supporter of the southern secession living in Alabama during the Civil War. Ambrose Bierce, the author, portrays Farquhar as someone with courage, integrity and the ability to overcome any physical hardship.Farquhar has the courage to contemplate burning the Owl Creek Bridge because there is no service "too humble for him to perform in aid of the South, no adventure too perilous for him to undertake" (82). According to a soldier who stops by the Farquhar residence, the Union commandant "issued an order", "declaring that any
He sees death as a "dignitary who, when he comes announced, is to be received with formal manifestations of respect" (81). "_The Norton Introduction to Literature_. Farquhar comes off the written page as a hero to the southern cause. Someone willing to endure anything for what he believes in. The integrity Farquhar demonstrates while the noose is around his neck is quite amazing. Farquhar is under the deep water and instead of accepting death by drowning, he pushes away the water "vigorously with quick, downward strokes, forcing him to the surface" (84). One might surmise he preferred to die with honor rather than dishonor. Bibliography Bierce, Ambrose. He simply embraces the very thought of death and holds it close to him as a military person would, for in "the code of military etiquette silence and fixity are forms of deference" (81). Peyton Farquhar is an extraordinary person who represents three very distinguished qualities. When Farquhar imagines that the rope has broken during his execution, he demonstrates his ability to overcome physical hardships. civilian caught interfering with the railroad, it's bridges, tunnels or trains, will be summarily hanged" (83).
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