Ocb Analysis
Rachel Nussbaum
AP English Language
Anderson
19 November 2012
Literary Analysis Essay Ambrose Bierce’s short story, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is able to secure a sense of stimulating suspense throughout its entirety. A number of literary techniques are used to evoke such an intense mood. Bierce manages to successfully provide a suspenseful atmosphere throughout the entire story because of the arrangement of the piece, and the usage of details and imagery. The unique arrangement of the short story coincides with the suspense of it. In the first section, Bierce portrays Peyton Farquhar as being trapped in a near death situation, as a result of committing an unknown crime. The readers become engulfed in following what will happen to the young man that is about to be hanged, but then the scene abruptly stops. The second section begins in a flashback, and because of the sudden shift in scenery and mood, the anticipation from the first section increases. The details presented in the flashback also convey a strong sense of suspense. Initially the man who visits Farquhar is said to be a “gray-clad soldier.” Based on that detail it should be understood that the man is a member of the Confederate Army, because they wear gray, whereas Union soldiers wear blue. However, it is said that when the man leaves he heads South, but an hour later passes right back the way he came, which in this case is North. The text then confirms what the readers are thinking by saying the man “was a Federal Scout.” (460) At that point, the second section concludes and readers are now left with some insight about how Farquhar ended up in his current situation. This makes readers more eager to find out what happens to him in the end, thus adding to the suspense. Along with the details presented, the use of powerful imagery also conveys a strong suspenseful atmosphere. The images that Bierce is able to expound to the audience in the third section not only
AP English Language
Anderson
19 November 2012
Literary Analysis Essay Ambrose Bierce’s short story, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is able to secure a sense of stimulating suspense throughout its entirety. A number of literary techniques are used to evoke such an intense mood. Bierce manages to successfully provide a suspenseful atmosphere throughout the entire story because of the arrangement of the piece, and the usage of details and imagery. The unique arrangement of the short story coincides with the suspense of it. In the first section, Bierce portrays Peyton Farquhar as being trapped in a near death situation, as a result of committing an unknown crime. The readers become engulfed in following what will happen to the young man that is about to be hanged, but then the scene abruptly stops. The second section begins in a flashback, and because of the sudden shift in scenery and mood, the anticipation from the first section increases. The details presented in the flashback also convey a strong sense of suspense. Initially the man who visits Farquhar is said to be a “gray-clad soldier.” Based on that detail it should be understood that the man is a member of the Confederate Army, because they wear gray, whereas Union soldiers wear blue. However, it is said that when the man leaves he heads South, but an hour later passes right back the way he came, which in this case is North. The text then confirms what the readers are thinking by saying the man “was a Federal Scout.” (460) At that point, the second section concludes and readers are now left with some insight about how Farquhar ended up in his current situation. This makes readers more eager to find out what happens to him in the end, thus adding to the suspense. Along with the details presented, the use of powerful imagery also conveys a strong suspenseful atmosphere. The images that Bierce is able to expound to the audience in the third section not only
Cited: Beers, G. Kylene. Holt Elements of Literature: Essentials of American Literature. Fifth Course ed. Austin, TX: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2010. Print.