Capturing the Reader's Attention in An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge Essay

Ambrose Bierce illustrates effectively how to hold the readers attention through suspenseful narration in the short story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. Not only is it a very powerful and suspense filled story, but the fine characterization of the ill-fated protagonist, as well as the stylishly crafted approach of the narrative, flows together to create the irony that so often illustrates Bierces writing; and forces us to marvel at its composition. Through descriptive adjectives, detail of events, the structure of the story and inviting the reader into the personal thoughts and life of Peyton Farquhar, Bierce draws out one of the most suspenseful narratives in short story history.

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge begins by capturing the readers attention with the shocking revelation that a man is to be hanged on Owl Creek Bridge. The reader does not know why or who the convicted man is, but immediately curiosity is peeked by such a brutal occurrence. The only insight into the accused is that he has kind eyes and is a common farmer. In section two, the reader is told the full name of the accused and the reasons why he is to be hanged. Sympathies are aroused as the reader learns the intimate details of the hanged mans life, his motives for his offense, and how he was tricked into being caught.

Perhaps the most engaging and stimulating technique Bierce uses in his story is the blending of fantasy-imagination and reality the mixing of the external world, with a future consisting of only death, with Farquhars internal world, which cries out for life. Although it might seem like Bierce wrote this story to ultimately play a trick on the reader at the end, for providing a lack of distinction between the two worlds, it is apparent that Farquhars death is noticeable throughout the tale if the reader is able to pay attention to the clues and focus more on the subtext of the story. The final section illustrates the death struggle that the hanged man goes through and the events that take place in his mind, as he imagines escape and peaceful return to his home. Suspense is maintained by the effective structure of the narrative of the occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.

Another tool Bierce uses to draw the readers attention into the story is detailed description of the atmosphere, setting, and characters in the first section of the story. By using descriptive adjectives, Bierce paints a vivid picture of the scene, the soldiers, the hanged man, and every detail around Owl Creek Bridge. For example, Bierce describes the soldiers on the bridge in the company staring stonily, motionless. Details describe the ticking of the soon to be hanged mans watch as a sharp, distinct, metallic percussion like the stroke of a blacksmiths hammer upon an anvil. Such use of description makes the reader feel a part of the action and intense suspense of the story.