Read an Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (Pgs. 604-614) and Answer the Following Questions

Name: ______

The Rise of Realism—Read the background information on pages 598-599. What was the goal of realistic literature?

Ambrose Bierce—Read the biography on page 602 and write five important facts about his life.

Read “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” (pgs. 604-614) and answer the following questions.

1. Based on the image on page 605, what do you predict will happen in the story?

2. What is Peyton Farquhar’s background?

3. How does Farquhar die? 4. Why did the soldier who visited Farquhar give him such detailed information about the bridge?

5. What is the Union soldiers’ reason for hanging Farquhar? Cite evidence from the text to support your response.

6. Reread lines 80-91. Based on Farquhar’s dreams of glory and his ultimate fate, what point might Ambrose Bierce be making about:

Heroism:

The realities of war:

The dangers of fantasy:

7. Compare Bierce’s use of realistic and fantastic elements in this story. Which label—realistic or fantastic—best describes Bierce’s style? Support your answer with details from the story.