Questions about An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

Short answers, pulled from the story.

Who is the protagonist in An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge?

Peyton Farquhar is a wealthy civilian planter and slave owner who stands on the Alabama railroad bridge during the American Civil War. He is executed by Union soldiers after being lured into a trap by a disguised scout.

When was An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge originally published?

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge was originally published by the San Francisco Examiner on the 13th of July 1890. The story describes one of the most famous tales in American literature written by Ambrose Bierce.

Where does the real Owl Creek Bridge exist according to historical records?

The real Owl Creek Bridge exists in Tennessee according to historical records. Ambrose Bierce changed the setting to northern Alabama because the actual bridge did not have a railroad near it at the time.

What narrative technique does An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge use?

Ambrose Bierce abandoned strict linear narration in favor of the internal mind of the protagonist. This approach serves as an early example of the stream-of-consciousness narrative mode.

Which film adaptation of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge won Best Short Subject at the Cannes Film Festival?

La rivière du hibou released in 1963 won Best Short Subject at the Cannes Film Festival that year. It also received the 1963 Academy Award for Live Action Short Film.

Read the full story about An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge →