The use of Foreshadowing in “An Occurrence at OwlCreekBridge”
Authors use foreshadowing to give hints to the reader of how a story may end. Ambrose Bierce uses foreshadowing in his short story “An Occurrence at OwlCreekBridge.” Bierce uses symbolism, description, and setting to give the reader clues of Peyton Farquhar’s impending death.
Early on in the story, while awaiting his execution, Farquhar heard a loud “Striking…like the stroke of a blacksmith’s hammer”. At first, the strikes occur at regular intervals; however, the periods of silence between the strikes steadily grew longer. Peyton Farquhar realized that this was the ticking of his watch.
Clocks and watches are often used as familiar symbols for time. Bierce first made the metallic tick of the second hand of the watch a sound equivalent to a death knell—drawing the reader’s attention to the watch, giving it extraordinary qualities (also, furthering the idea of death). Once the reader’s attention was drawn to the watch, Bierce then had the ticks of the second hand slow down. Since it is improbable that the mechanical watch would start to malfunction at this precise moment, the tick of the watch symbolizes time, in Farquhar’s point of view, slowing down. This sets up the idea that it is possible that Farquhar could have about a fifteen minute daydream last almost 24 hours in his own mind.
Once Farquhar, in his mind, escaped from his captures, he took a moment to enjoy everything that he thought he would never see again. He was quick to notice the veining of the leaves along the bank and the bugs around him. This description also lets the reader know that something is not how it seems. It is humanly impossible for Farquhar to see the veins of the leaves and insects in the trees, at least twenty yards away, while floating down a river. Furthermore, when the sentinel raised his weapon to shoot him from fifty yards away, it would be impossible for Farquhar to distinguish the color of his eyes. This is another clue to tip the reader off that he is not really escaping.
Unfortunately, memory is not a reliable tool. Bierce uses this idea to convey to the reader that Farquhar is in an alternate reality. While running through the woods, he passed unrecognizable gardens and constellations. In life, people usually pay attention to what is in front of them and not the world around. Since Farquhar was dead set to find his home, he was unable to remember all the intricate details leading up to his house. Actually, he was so surprised that the ground was so soft, “he could no longer feel the roadway beneath his feet!”, he didn’t realize that his feet were no longer planted on the ground.
To create a plausible ending, authors must use foreshadowing. Ambrose Bierce uses the tick of the watch, super human abilities, and how memory is unreliableto show that Peyton Farquhar is heading for a gruesome end.