An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge: An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge: A Classic Short Story from Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Bierce

Jan 2021 · Prabhat Prakashan

About this ebook

An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge' is a short story by American author Ambrose Bierce. The story is set in the time of the Civil War. It is famous for its irregular time sequence and twisted end. Bierce's abandonment of strict linear narration in favor of the internal mind of the protagonist is considered an early example of experimentation with stream of consciousness. It is one of Bierce's most anthologized stories.

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce: This classic short story follows the last moments of a Confederate sympathizer condemned to hang for attempting to sabotage a railroad bridge. Through a series of twists and turns, the story reveals the complex psychological state of the doomed man as he confronts his own mortality.

Key Aspects of the Book "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge":
Psychological Realism: The story offers a masterful depiction of the human mind under extreme stress, revealing the ways in which our perceptions and emotions can distort reality.
Narrative Structure: Bierce's use of nonlinear narrative and unexpected plot twists makes this story a classic example of the "twist ending" genre.
War and Politics: The story provides a commentary on the brutality and dehumanization of war, as well as the politics and ethics of wartime justice.

Ambrose Bierce was an American writer, journalist, and satirist known for his sardonic wit and biting social commentary. Born in Ohio in 1842, he served in the Union army during the Civil War and later worked as a journalist and editor. His works, including short stories like An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and The Devil's Dictionary, continue to be celebrated for their incisive critiques of American society and culture.

Ratings and reviews

''Never trust anyone who has not read An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge" Percival Everett