an occurrence at owl creek bridge analysis

The story of “Young Goodman Brown” is another story of reality-bending. The question remains did he ever truly awake? It is also noteworthy, however, when he falls down “caught in a vortex” and a volley of gunfire once again “roused him from his dream”. This continues when Farquhar dodges bullets. This superhuman boost to the escapee’s hearing and sight are yet another way in which his reality changes within the story. This causes the reader to challenge their perceptions and either suspend disbelief in order to allow this new development or reject it entirely.įarquhar’s own perceptions become altered when his senses become “preternaturally keen and alert” to the point where he notices new sensory details which are normally impossible, including when he notes the eye color of a sentinel who is shooting at him. When Farquhar begins to untie his wrists and swim to the surface, freedom has become his reality. The reader has already accepted the character’s revival from a “dream” so it is not much farther of a stretch to assume the captive’s freedom. There is held within the reader’s mind the dichotomy of the character’s death or his survival and escape from bondage. The reader must be asked to what extent they believe Farquhar’s apparent death. It is a confusing moment for the reader, whether or not to accept this instance of death as reality or not. Luckily for Farquhar, the rope breaks and “the power of thought was restored” as he hears a splash. In that singular moment, the man has nothing. Even those who are asleep have thoughts or dreams. Without thought or consciousness, reality becomes a nonentity. The story describes how thought abandons him. It is at this moment, when the rope is tightening around Farquhar’s neck, that he begins to hallucinate. Time once again has been distorted for the character. Luckily he awakens from this state, “ages later, it seemed to him”.

An occurrence at owl creek bridge analysis