In three to five sentences, explain how Ambrose Bierce’s use of foreshadowing or flashback influences “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Ambrose Bierce’s use of foreshadowing and flashback in An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge enhances the story’s suspense and creates a disorienting effect for the reader. Foreshadowing is evident early on as the reader learns that Peyton Farquhar is about to be hanged, creating an expectation that his life will soon come to a tragic end. The flashback structure, which shifts between the present and Farquhar’s memories, gradually reveals his backstory, including his involvement in the Confederate cause and his encounter with the Union scout. This blending of timeframes misleads the reader into believing that Farquhar is escaping, heightening the emotional impact of the story’s shocking conclusion. The technique contributes to the story’s theme of illusion versus reality, making the twist at the end all the more surprising and thought-provoking.
