Ambrose Bierce begins the story with the protagonist(glavnim junakom), Peyton Farquhar faced with execution by hanging. Brice alters(mjenja) time by giving a lengthy explanation of what actually occurred in a short period of time. From the removal of the plank which Farquhar stands to the feeling of the rope tightening around his neck, the perfect escape is played out through the mind of Peyton Farquhar.
             (--Definitely as the suspense of time is played out some of the actions which take place seem surreal and almost impossible. This is one of the factors that makes "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" so interesting. It takes over half of the story to explain the thoughts that run through the mind of Peyton Farquhar during the last seconds of his life. The story takes place in Alabama during the middle of the civil war. Farquhar plans to arrive at the bridge before the union army and burn the bridge down using drift wood. This was his last effort to save his family and home from the army. He was only trying to do what he felt was right and got caught in the middle of a political battle. This story takes place in Northern Alabama at a railroad bridge called Owl Creek Bridge.--)
             In the eyes of the main character, Peyton Farquhar the actuality of the events in the story occur in a much longer time span than what happens realistically. Farquhar is being hung for disobeying the orders given by the commandant. "Any civilian that is caught interfering with the rail road, its bridges, tunnels, or trains will be summarily hanged."
             The thirty five year old planter envisions an impossible escape from the surrounding army. As this escape unfolds some of the events described are merely beyond reality. During his escape he describes powerless bullets that bounce off of his hands and face. One bullet enters his neck and he is able to pull it out.
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