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Ambrose Bierce's short story transpires in Northern Alabama at Owl Creeks Bridge. This bridge is used for railroads to crossover the river unearthed below. The scenery as describes in the story is a forested area on a bright sunny day and carries over night until the next mourning. This time frame is in the eyes of the main character, Peyton Farquhar, but in actuality the events in the story occurs in less than a day, realistically in a few hours. Farquhar is minutes from being hung from the Owl Creek Bridge. Surrounding him in this formal hanging is the Army, which consists of two private soldiers, a Sergeant, an armed uniformed Captain, sentinels and an observing single company of infantry with riffles at ease.
Farquhar, is a 35 year-old civilian planter who is a slave owner and possesses a straight nose, firm mouth, broad forehead, mustache, a pointed beard and colossal dark gray eyes. He is also an active politician, and is married with children. Farquhar is being executed for his actions by the Army in an almost ceremonial manner for violating the orders of a commandant that stated, "Any civilian that is caught interfering with the rail road, it's bridges, tunnels, or trains will be summarily hung. " The story's viewpoint switches from a narrator to Farquhar himself and the transition takes place as Farquhar feels the noose snap and his body hurl to the stream underneath. He manages to unrestrained his hand from the rope after being submerged under water and immediately attempts to free his neck, but elected not to because it was keeping water from invading his lungs. He propels himself up to the surface and then frees his neck. Looking up above him, he could see his executioners pointing and shouting at him.
While gathering his surroundings he hears the excruciating sounds of bullets entering the water and splashing mist in his face. He glares up once again to see a gray-eyed sniper looking at him through his cross hairs. Miraculously, a swirling current sweeps Farquhar away from the targeted spot, which turns him half away around so that he is facing the shore. He then hears the orders of the Captain commanding his soldiers to aim, get ready, and shoot.
He plunges underneath to avoid the array of gunfire as he feels the powerless bullets bounce off his hands and face. One bullet however, manages to enter his neck and collar region and the heat forces him to pull the bullet out of his body. When he resurfaces, he notices that the current had carried him considerably down stream. Knowing that the Captain had more than likely given the order to fire at will, he glances up to see the men reloading their weapons. Farquhar makes a scattering for the Forrest where a charge of shots rings above the treetops. Aching, he begins to run into the wooded area in search for freedom.
By nightfall his feet are sore and swollen as well as his hands and tongue from thirst. Sticking his tongue out to absorb the night's cold air is enough to relieve the feverish feeling. He discovers a familiar road, which he follows until daybreak, that leads him to his home. Walking up to the premises he could see his wife in her dress as she awaits him. He extends his arms as she comes near, but unexpectedly hears the sounds of cannon and the glare of a white light ejecting a forceful blow to the back of his neck. This pain is his neck breaking as he dangled from the rail road bridge.
His consciousness now fully leaving him allowing not another thought to be processed. his dream or vision of escaping, much like his life is now over. Bibliography:
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Research essay sample on Rail Road Farquhar Neck
