Analytical Essay of An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge
...de him both feared and respected an a critic. His enemies refereed to him as “Almighty God Bierce,”because he would often sign his reviews using his initials, AGB. Fahrquhar on the other hand had established himself as a well to do plantation owner that was well respected among his peers. Circumstances prevented Fahrquhar from enlisting in the “gallant army,”but he would do anything for the South even give his life. On the other hand Bierce joined the Union army and became an officer much like the “gray-clad” solider in the story."War was the making of Bierce as a man and a writer." Like Fahrquhar, Bierce was willing to give his life for what he Miller-2 believed in. As a slave owner and politician in Alabama, Fahrquhar was “an original secessionist and ardently devoted to the Southern cause.” In many respects Bierce is like the Federal Spy, they both disseminate information to people. In Bierce’s case it was through his journalist pursuits with the San Francisco News- Letter and California Advertiser. The Federal Spy relayed information by word of mouth. The Federal Spy informed Fahrquhar that “[t]he Yanks are repairing the railroads, and are getting ready for another advance.” Bierce was willing to take a risk and “explore the unknown,” he did both as a man and as a writer. He wrote things that he was not sure people would like and he wrote about people who were willing to take risks. Fahrquhar was willing to sacrifice his life to defend his home, wife and children, and Southern values and lifestyle. At the age of seventy-one, Bierce fought alongside Pancho Villa, the Mexican bandit.(creative.net) Fahrquhar plans to burn the Owl Creek Bridge to protect his home, wife, and children. Bierce’s supernatural style of writing is illustrated by his choice of diction and imagery. His use of descriptive narration leads the reader believe that there is hope for Fahrquhar’s escape, when there is none. Bierce uses Fahrquhar’s imagination as the source of the supernatural hope as Fa...