“Occurrence
at Owl Creek Bridge” Class Activity
Name: Part One: Plot Chart Many plays, novels, and short stories can be fitted into a plot triangle, a diagram which puts the events of the story in chronological order, highlights the central conflict of the text, and shows how the action intensifies the conflict or resolves it. A plot triangle contains all of the following elements: • Inciting Incident: the action or event that introduces the conflict and initiates the action • Rising Action: the incidents, gradually increasing in intensity, enhancing the conflict or preventing it from being resolved • Climax: the height of the action and turning point of the story, usually where the conflict is resolved • Falling Action: the incidents, gradually decreasing in intensity, leading to the resolution • Resolution: the end of the story and the final outcome of the conflict The plot of “Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”, however, cannot be fit into a single plot triangle because the story has two levels: One where Farquhar hallucinates an escape and another where he is executed. Furthermore, it appears that he dies within a few seconds of his neck breaking. The return home that he imagines would have taken hours. This story requires a complex plot triangle. Complete the following plot triangle for “Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”. Climax Rising Action Falling Action Climax Rising Action Inciting Incident Falling Action Resolution “Occurrence
at Owl Creek Bridge” Class Activity
Part Two: Imagery, Foreshadowing, & Characterization In the left column, identify imagery from the story (find direct quotes) that make the story more real and vivid while at the same time foreshadowing Peyton Farquhar’s ultimate fate. Then, find quotes that show describe Farquhar and his motivation for his treasonous actions. Imagery Quote with Page Number Explanation “Occurrence
at Owl Creek Bridge” Class Activity
Peyton Farquhar and his Motivations Quote with Page Number Explanation Part Three: Theme Use the work from above and identify a theme for this story? What message do you think the author, Ambrose Bierce was trying to communicate to his readers?