An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

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Farquhar was tricked by a federal spy into lighting fire to a pile of driftwood. This fire would then destroy a bridge, which would slow the travels of the Northern Army. His mind carried a vengeance that influenced his decisions and ultimately caused him to let his guard down and fall victim to a trap. Had his passionate desire for the southern cause not been as strong he would have been able to think more rationally and offer his services in a more responsible way. His mind was overcome by the power of his heart and he fell victim to a fantasy. He disregarded the real laws of being a citizen of the United States and he made decisions based off an illusion desire. This demonstrates the power of the mind by causing a good man to make harsh decisions leading to his demise.

The most important part of my reading context would be how relatable and practical the idea that personal bias can blind someone into making terrible mistakes is. Looking back on my own personal experiences, I can say that I’ve made irresponsible decisions because of my own personal belief. A lot of times my judgment is clouded by stress and desire. Peyton Farquhar had a big heart and he believed in a lifestyle that was not correlated with the proper direction of the United States. He made decisions that would lead him to his death and it makes me wonder if I’ve ever been in a position where one seemingly victimless crime could lead me to my demise. It also brought my attention and concern to the question of how far I would be willing to go to support a cause that I truly believed was right. Peyton made a choice knowing full well that it could be his last but he did so because he thought it was for the greater good. The power of the mind is both impressive and frightening.

Peyton Farquhar lived an honest life where he believed his actions were for good. His own vengeance for purpose and distinction clouded his judgment and plagued him with ignorance. His mind led him down a consequential path that ultimately led him to his death. However, he mind and conscious also helped him escape the reality of his execution by throwing him into a timeless state of illusion where he was able to be a hero and fight for his family. His fantasy state came to be a safety net for him leading up the moments before he lost his life. He passed painlessly up until the final moments through the utilization of his mind and heart.

Works Cited Page

Bierce, Ambrose, and Donna J. Neary. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. Mankato, MN: Creative Education, 1980. Print.