What Makes Ambrose Bierce a Realist Author
             "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" can be considered a work of realism for three reasons. The first is Bierce's utilization of his own military background giving this story a sense of authenticity. Bierce also conveys his cynicism after leading the reader to believe otherwise. Finally, this story provides social critique of the south during the Civil War.
             Bierce goes to great lengths to describe the opening sequence in terms of its military arrangement. He provides vivid images of troop formations and soldier stances like "a single company of infantry in line, at 'parade rest' the butts of the rifles on the ground, the barrels inclining backward against the right shoulder, the hands crossed upon the stock." (Bierce 269). He also takes the time to describe exactly how fortified the Owl Creek Bridge is. He shows his military experience by describing a road that stretches out of site and assuming that "Doubtless there was an outpost farther along." (Bierce 269). The procedures of a military execution were explained thoroughly including the code of conduct: "In the code of military etiquette silence and fixity are forms of deference." (Bierce 269).
             Bierce earned the nickname "Bitter Bierce" (Bierce 268) early in his life for his cynicism. This is not evident in this story until the end. The third and final part begins with a sequence of miraculous occurrences allowing Peyton Farquhar to escape from his hanging. The description of these events leads the reader to believe that Bierce is a Romantic author rather than a realist. The rope breaks dropping him into the creek. He then uses his "superhuman strength" (Bierce 272) to remove the rope from around his neck. Peyton is then blessed with augmented senses seeing the veins on leaves in the forest and hearing gnats and dragonfly wings in the distance. He then sees the eye of a marksmen on the bridge through the scope on the...