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).
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The wound is to his neck and described as uncomfortably warm. In the end, his final thought is of his wife greeting him at the front gate. After painting a picture of Peyton Farquhar's miraculous escape, Bierce brings cruel reality by allowing him to be executed thereby showing his cynicism. Later in Farquhar's journey his tongue is swollen and his eyes no longer shut. The author also gives more direct hints to what happens in actuality. Amazingly, this marksman misses what should be an easy target and allows Farquhar to swim farther downstream. It is when a Confederate soldier arrives at his home that Peyton knows his opportunity has arrived. In the first part Farquhar imagines how he would escape while he is waiting to be hung which coincidentally is how it happens. He is not to serve in the confederate army due to "circumstances of an imperious nature" (Bierce 270). This statement shows that the only people who didn't fight the battles were the only ones who stood to gain from victory. Peyton's wife "was only too happy to serve him with her own white hands. He then uses his "superhuman strength" (Bierce 272) to remove the rope from around his neck.
Approximate Word count =
1127
Approximate Pages =
5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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