An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce Essay

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce - Essay Example As the time ticks, Farquhar wafts into a dream-like state where there is no limitation of time. The author compares his situation to that of a ‘vast pendulum’ which swings uncontrollably. The space in which Farquhar delves is an intermediary between life and death, a world that is bound by its unknown rules. There is a very thin boundary between illusion and reality and till the end of the story readers think of Farquhar’s illusion as reality. He is desperate to see his wife and children again and in his desperation his mind creates a different world that can provide him an escape from this predicament. The story makes it clear that to a certain degree, the nature of time is subjective. During the brief time interval between Farquhar’s fall and death, the time dilates and slows down to allow for the events to take place as the mind wishes. He evades bullets, cannons, soldiers and makes a tiring journey to see his family. But just when he is about to embrace his wife, a white flash of light brings him back to reality and his neck breaks (Bierce, 2010).