His features were good—a straight nose, firm mouth, broad forehead, from which his long, dark hair was combed straight back, falling behind his ears to the collar of his well-fitting frock coat. He wore a mustache and pointed beard, but no whiskers; his eyes were large and dark gray, and had a kindly expression which one would hardly have expected in one whose neck was in the hemp. Evidently this was no vulgar assassin. The liberal military code makes provisions for hanging many kinds of persons, and gentlemen are not excluded.

This is how Ambrose Bierce characterizes Peyton Farquhar, the Protagonist of his most well-known and celebrated short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. Here the reader is given various information about what kind of man is about to be hanged: he is handsome and has a kind air about him, he appears to be rather affluent, considering his “well-fitting frock coat,” and he is no “vulgar assassin.” Quite contrary, the sarcastic last sentence even hints that he is a gentleman. Among other things, this characterization is what lets Stuart C. Woodruff come to the conclusion that “it is the tragic waste of such a man which engages our sympathies.” According to Woodruff, the assessment of Farquhar as a hero, deserving of the reader’s sympathy, is vital to how and why the story works. Because its main character seems admirable, Woodruff calls Owl Creek Bridge a “seemingly real tale of daring escape. Moreover, it is the kind of tale we would like to believe because Farquhar himself is such an attractive figure: brave, sensitive, highly intelligent.” Woodruff goes on calling him “the typical Bierce hero” and in the end draws a familiar conclusion: Farquhar is Bierce and Bierce is Farquhar. According to Woodruff, Bierce, like the protagonist, longed “for the release of his energies, the larger life of a soldier, the opportunity for distinction.” He became, like Farquhar, “a civilian who was at heart a soldier.” This interpretation of Owl Creek is a common one, but nevertheless absolutely and completely wrong. Woodruff is mistaken when he assumes proximity between the story’s author and main character. This misinterpretation can first and foremost be proven by Bierce’s biography. For instance, Peyton Farquhar is a slave owner, as we learn in the story, but Bierce himself opposed slavery. Already at the age of fifteen he worked as a printer’s devil at the abolitionist paper The Northern Indianan.

Excerpt

1. Introduction - A gentleman with kind eyes
2. The Character of Peyton Farquhar
- 2.1. The things Peyton Farquhar did (or intended to do...)
- 2.2. The man Peyton Farquhar was (or pretended to be...)
- 2.3. Peyton Farquhar's world view (and the one of Ambrose Bierce...)
3. Conclusion - Neither a gentleman, nor a hoax

Objectives and Key Themes

This paper challenges the common misinterpretation of Peyton Farquhar as a heroic figure in Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." It aims to demonstrate, through close textual analysis, that Farquhar is not a sympathetic character but rather a villain and a coward. The paper explores the author's skillful use of narrative techniques to initially evoke sympathy for Farquhar before revealing his true nature.

The deceptive nature of appearances and initial reader sympathy for Farquhar.
A critical analysis of Farquhar's character, revealing his negative traits.
Examination of Bierce's writing style and its impact on the reader's perception.
The contrast between Farquhar's self-perception and reality.
The rejection of common interpretations that equate Farquhar with Bierce himself.

Chapter Summaries

1. Introduction - A gentleman with kind eyes: This introductory chapter establishes the prevalent misinterpretation of Peyton Farquhar as a heroic figure, drawing on existing critical analyses that emphasize his apparent nobility and admirable qualities. The chapter introduces the author's counter-argument, proposing that Farquhar is not a hero but rather a villain and a coward, a perspective the paper will support through close reading and analysis of the text. It highlights Bierce's precise and functional writing style, emphasizing the importance of attentive reading to grasp the full meaning and authorial intent.

2. The Character of Peyton Farquhar: This section delves into a multifaceted examination of Peyton Farquhar's character, moving beyond the superficial impression of a gentleman. It analyzes his actions, motivations, and worldview to expose his negative qualities, challenging the common misreading that casts him as a victim or heroic figure. The chapter dissects his actions (or intended actions), examines the discrepancies between his outward presentation and inner reality, and explores his beliefs to fully reveal his true character and demonstrate his lack of heroic qualities.

Keywords

Ambrose Bierce, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, Peyton Farquhar, character analysis, narrative technique, literary interpretation, Civil War, anti-hero, deception, misreading, close reading.

Frequently Asked Questions: An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge - A Critical Analysis

What is the main argument of this paper?

This paper challenges the common misinterpretation of Peyton Farquhar as a heroic figure in Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." It argues that Farquhar is not a sympathetic character but rather a villain and a coward, supported by close textual analysis.

What are the key themes explored in the paper?

The paper explores several key themes, including the deceptive nature of appearances and initial reader sympathy for Farquhar; a critical analysis of Farquhar's character, revealing his negative traits; examination of Bierce's writing style and its impact on the reader's perception; the contrast between Farquhar's self-perception and reality; and the rejection of common interpretations that equate Farquhar with Bierce himself.

How does the paper analyze Peyton Farquhar's character?

The paper conducts a multifaceted examination of Farquhar, moving beyond superficial impressions. It analyzes his actions, motivations, and worldview to expose his negative qualities. It dissects his actions (or intended actions), examines discrepancies between his outward presentation and inner reality, and explores his beliefs to reveal his true character and lack of heroic qualities.

What is the significance of Ambrose Bierce's writing style?

The paper highlights Bierce's precise and functional writing style, emphasizing the importance of attentive reading to grasp the full meaning and authorial intent. The analysis considers how Bierce's style contributes to the initial misinterpretation of Farquhar and the eventual revelation of his true nature.

What is the structure of the paper?

The paper is structured into three main chapters: an introduction establishing the prevalent misinterpretation of Farquhar; a detailed analysis of Farquhar's character; and a conclusion reinforcing the paper's central argument. The paper also includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.

What are the key takeaways from the paper?

The key takeaway is a re-evaluation of Peyton Farquhar, moving away from the common perception of him as a hero or victim. The paper demonstrates, through careful analysis, that Farquhar is a flawed and ultimately unsympathetic character whose actions and beliefs reveal a lack of heroic qualities. The paper also underscores the importance of attentive reading and careful consideration of authorial intent in literary interpretation.

What are the keywords associated with this analysis?