Online Journal #1

Melanie Freeman

English 48B

January 6, 2009

"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Bierce has been characterized as a cynic, a nihilist and an extreme critic regarding human nature.  Wickipedia states that his nickname is "Bitter Bierce" which is clearly fitting in response to his morbidly sarcastic "Devils Dictionary" and his most famous short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge".  In this short story, Bierce plays with the idea of death and pulls the reader into a moment that blurs the line between was is real and what it not.  Through his sarcastic tone and plot twisting ending, Bierce portrays his nihilistic view of human nature.  In describing the execution of Peyton Farquhar, Bierce implies that humans do not appreciate life until it is gone.  

"The sudden arrest of his motion, the abrasion of one of his hands on the gravel, restored him and he wept with delight.  He dug his fingers into the sand, threw it over himself in handfuls and audibly blessed it.  It looked like diamonds, rubies, emeralds; he could think of nothing beautiful which it did not resemble" (365).  

Summary: 

In this moment, Farquhar has managed to escape the incoming fire from the soldiers on the bridge and has been thrown ashore by the impact of the "grapeshot" (365) or small cannons being aimed at his position in the stream.  This is Farquhar's first interaction with land since his intended execution and is overwhelmed with the joy of being reconnected with life.  He lovingly covers himself with sand as if it were diamonds to portray his appreciation for his survival.  Peyton has realized how precious life is now the he has experienced what it is like to have lost it if only for an instant.  

Response: 

Bierce's intended significance of Farquhar covering himself with sand does not become clear until the story has been finished.  While the scene may appear to signify hope and a second chance at life, in reality this scene is bitter and sarcastic.  

Bierce illustrates a man who appears so grateful to have survived death when in reality his appreciation is in vain.  By comparing the gravel to precious stones, Farquhar creates a metaphor for the life he has lead up until now.  He realizes that each moment in life is significant and even the most ordinary objects have great, natural beauty.  His perceived brush with death has given him new knowledge and a new perspective on world in which he lives.  Bierce describes Farquhat with a new childlike innocence as he "wept with delight" to emphasize this rebirth.  This positive  image of youth is also used to show how one can become jaded with age.  Age and experience can be seen as a blindfold to what life truly has to offer. 

By revealing that in fact Farquhar's "escape" was a mere, last vision before death, Bierce implies how pointless life truly is.  If one cannot appreciate the true beauty of life until it is gone then why live at all?  This concise yet deeply rich story creates questions in the reader.  Are we truly unaware of the value of life? Is there meaning beyond what we are capable of perceiving while living?  Does death bring on a heightened awareness that reveals new insight? 

"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is an emotional journey for the reader.  Bierce takes us through several scenes in which we are disheartened, instilled with false hope and then finally somewhat embarrassed.  My thought when reading the final paragraph was "I should have known..."  Although I would like to think of my self as an optimist who does appreciate life, this story creates a solid argument for the contrary.