An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

Bierce uses the literary technique of stream of consciousness before it became a common part of modernist literature. How does Bierce use of stream of consciousness in the story? How does it affect the story?

Bierce’s story is told out of order (not in chronological order). How does this structure lend itself to the theme of the Perception of Reality? Give evidence from the text.

What is significant about Farquhar’s wife? What does she represent?

Bierce saw combat in the Civil War. He was present at the Battle of Corinth and survived a brain injury. How does Bierce use the Civil War in the story? How does his experience shape the story’s narrative?

Does Farquhar deserve to be hanged for his attempt to sabotage the Owl Creek Bridge? Why or why not?

How does Bierce use silence and motion in his story to create momentum and suspense?

What is significant about the shift from past tense to present tense at the end of the story? Is this the moment that Farquhar dies?

Explore Bierce’s use of flashback. What effect does the flashback have on the narrative? Does it make the reader more sympathetic to Farquhar’s plight or does he lose the sympathy of the reader?