Literary Criticism On An Occurrence At Owl Creek

884 Words4 Pages
Psychology as known by most, allows one to understand deeper into ones mind. In Ambrose Bierce’s short but very moving story “The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” Peyton Fahrquhar shows the reader a prime example of the reason psychology is so well respected as a study. Literary criticisms over Bierce’s work often talk of Fahrquhar’s role as a stereotypical “nonhero” as many characters are referred to throughout literature. This allows the reader to ask one self, who really is the hero of the story? And what really allows oneself to be called a hero? Jumping through the second story window with a baby in arm and soot on his back the hero approaches the street with a look of success streaked across his face. The most stereotypical idea of a hero in the world is saving a life or accomplishing something worth while. How is someone who stands for there beliefs and dies with dignity not allowed the same right of being a hero? Personally, I say they are a hero. Theres no reason to conform to the stereotypical beliefs that are so well known. Being a hero to oneself and dying with pride and appreciating life until its end is more than enough of a reason to be a hero. The events of the story lead the reader to question Fahrquhar’s sanity and possibly view his death as a tragedy. Critical essays on Ambrose Bierce by Casey Davidson agrees with this view, “We are now and momentarily inside the protagonists brain, and that brain is definitely Beck 2 malfunctioning” (203). Although, if the reader allows them self to appreciate the deceiving ways of Fahrquhar’s mind the ending can be seen through a different light. “A man stood upon a railroad bridge in northern Alabama, looking down into the swift water twenty feet below. The man's hands were behind his back, the wrists bound with a cord” (1) was Fahrquhar’s situation on this dreadful day in “The Occurrence at Owl

More about Literary Criticism On An Occurrence At Owl Creek

Open Document