The following work presents an analysis of Ambrose Bierce's short story "An Occurrence at Owl Bridge". Therefore it examines the structure, especially the narrator's perspective, as well as in respect of content the setting of the story, time markers, themes and the story's effect on the reader.
Table of Contents
- Ambrose Bierce's short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
- The story's effect on the reader
- Setting
- Time
- Theme of Delusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This midterm assignment analyzes Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," focusing on narrative techniques, reader response, and thematic elements. The analysis explores how Bierce manipulates narrative perspective and time to create a surprising and impactful reading experience.
- Narrative techniques (authorial vs. figural narration, focalization)
- Reader response and manipulation
- The role of time in shaping perception and narrative structure
- The theme of delusion and the blurring of reality and illusion
- Setting and its significance within the narrative
Chapter Summaries
Ambrose Bierce's short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”: This section analyzes the narrative structure of Bierce's story, examining the shifts in narrative perspective between an omniscient authorial narrator (in Parts I and II) and a figural narrator (in Part III, predominantly). It discusses the reliability of the narrator and how the shift in perspective contributes to the story's overall effect on the reader. The analysis highlights the use of external and internal focalization, demonstrating how the reader's perception of the events is manipulated through the different narrative voices. The unexpected ending is discussed in relation to the narrative strategy.
The story's effect on the reader: This section explores the surprising and shocking effect of the story's unexpected ending. It analyzes how Bierce uses the strong character development of Peyton Farquhar to build the reader's trust and then subverts this trust through the revelation of the events in Part III as a delusion occurring just before death. The analysis examines how the manipulation of narrative perspective and time contributes to the reader's emotional response, emphasizing the story's unpredictability and its capacity to surprise and disorient.
Setting: This section examines the setting of the story, primarily the Owl Creek Bridge during the American Civil War. It discusses the significance of this historical context and how the setting enhances the story's themes of conflict and death. It also explores the contrasting settings present in Farquhar's imagined escape in Part III, highlighting the shift from the realistic setting of the bridge to the imagined landscapes of the river, forest, and his home. This contrast further emphasizes the blurring of reality and illusion within the narrative.
Time: This section analyzes the manipulation of time as a crucial narrative element. Bierce uses detailed descriptions that stretch the perception of time, creating a contrast between story time and discourse time. The analysis explores how the use of flashbacks and flash-forwards within the narrative disrupts the chronological order, contributing to the reader's confusion and the ultimate revelation of Farquhar's death. The intentional distortion of time is linked to the themes of delusion and the subjective nature of perception.
Theme of Delusion: This section analyzes the central theme of delusion, focusing on two aspects: Farquhar's own delusion caused by the deception of the Federal scout, leading to his execution, and the reader's delusion in believing Farquhar's imagined escape in Part III. It explores how the narrative techniques, particularly the shifts in perspective and time, contribute to creating this shared delusion, emphasizing the story's skillful blurring of reality and illusion. The analysis connects the theme of delusion to the broader themes of war, deception, and the human experience.
Keywords
Narrative perspective, focalization, reader response, time manipulation, delusion, illusion, realism, American Civil War, Ambrose Bierce, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," flashback, flash-forward.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" Analysis
What is the purpose of this analysis?
This analysis delves into Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," examining its narrative techniques, reader response, and thematic elements. It explores how Bierce manipulates narrative perspective and time to create a surprising and impactful reading experience.
What key themes are explored in the analysis?
The analysis focuses on narrative techniques (authorial vs. figural narration, focalization), reader response and manipulation, the role of time in shaping perception and narrative structure, the theme of delusion and the blurring of reality and illusion, and the significance of the setting.
How does the analysis approach the story's narrative structure?
The analysis dissects the narrative structure, highlighting the shifts in perspective between an omniscient authorial narrator and a figural narrator. It discusses the reliability of the narrator and how these shifts contribute to the story's effect on the reader. The use of external and internal focalization and the unexpected ending are also key elements of the analysis.
What is the role of the reader's response in the analysis?
The analysis examines the surprising and shocking effect of the story's unexpected ending. It explores how Bierce uses character development to build the reader's trust and then subverts this trust through the revelation of the events in Part III as a delusion. The analysis focuses on how the manipulation of perspective and time contributes to the reader's emotional response.
How is the setting analyzed in the context of the story?
The analysis examines the setting of Owl Creek Bridge during the American Civil War and its significance in enhancing the themes of conflict and death. It also explores the contrasting settings of Farquhar's imagined escape, highlighting the shift from reality to illusion and emphasizing the blurring of these concepts.
What is the significance of time manipulation in the story?
The analysis focuses on how Bierce manipulates time as a crucial narrative element. The use of detailed descriptions stretching the perception of time, the contrast between story time and discourse time, and the use of flashbacks and flash-forwards are all analyzed. This manipulation is linked to the themes of delusion and subjective perception.
How is the theme of delusion explored in the analysis?
The analysis explores the central theme of delusion from two perspectives: Farquhar's delusion caused by deception and the reader's delusion in believing Farquhar's imagined escape. It connects the theme of delusion to the broader themes of war, deception, and the human experience.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Narrative perspective, focalization, reader response, time manipulation, delusion, illusion, realism, American Civil War, Ambrose Bierce, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," flashback, flash-forward.
- Citar trabajo
- Lea Lorena Jerns (Autor), 2011, An analysis of Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/277884
