Group Names: __________________________________________________________________________________
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
Group Presentations
Directions:
1. Each group has received a separate topic displayed in “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by
Ambrose Bierce. Discuss the topic’s significance with your group, and then answer the questions
provided on the discussion sheet assigned to your group. Cite examples from the story to support
your answers. Type your final answers in complete sentences, paying close attention to spelling,
grammar, and punctuation.
2. Identify the main symbols and figurative devices apparent in your topic. Choose how your group
will present a visual representation of the topic to the class. You might consider drawing a
picture, citing quotes, or referencing symbols from the story that appropriately captures the topic
assigned to your group. To illustrate your visual representation, use either an app on your iPad or
a poster board.
3. Each group will lead the class in a formal discussion about the topic assigned to your group. Then,
each group will present their illustration to the class. You will explain how the picture, drawing,
etc. in the illustration suitably depicts the topic assigned to your group.
Rubric:
4
3-2
1
Interpretation
Analysis and interpretation
of topic is thorough, precise,
and creative.
Analysis and interpretation
of topic is almost always
thorough and precise.
Analysis and interpretation
of topic has moments of
truth, but is neither
thorough nor precise.
Responses
Group responds to all
questions on their topic and
uses direct quotes to
support their stance.
Group responds to most
questions on topic, and
makes some use of
examples as support.
Group does not sufficiently
respond to questions on
topic, and makes no use of
examples.
Organization
Illustration is easy to read
and information is logically
arranged. Responses typed
in complete sentences,
adhering to the proper
writing conventions.
Illustration is fairly easy to
read and fairly well
organized. Responses typed
in complete sentences, but
do not always adhere to the
proper writing conventions.
Information is jumbled and
confusing in appearance.
Responses are not typed nor
adhere to the proper writing
conventions.
Creativity
Illustration has an
insightful representation of
topic.
Illustration includes an
adequate representation of
topic.
Illustration does not include
decoration to enhance topic.
Total Score: _______ / 16 Points
American Literature and Composition Honors
Ambrose Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
Death and Dying
Questions to guide discussion:
1. People often view death in one of two ways: as an inexorable force that cannot be escaped,
or as a merciful escape/transition to a better place. How are each of these views
represented in the story?
2. Which view triumphs at the end?
3. What is Ambrose Bierce’s version of death as an escape? Is this an uplifting view of death,
or is it a sort of mediocre “consolation prize” to an individual?
American Literature and Composition Honors
Ambrose Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
Time
Time can be “measured” in one of two ways. The ancient Greeks called the first way kronos,
which refers to measured, sequential, chronological time, like the time measured on a watch.
The second way, kairos, can roughly be described as a moment (of undetermined length) in which
something significant happens, either a crisis or opportunity.
Questions to guide discussion:
1. Which sections/parts of the story correspond to kronos? Which sections/parts of the story
correspond to kairos?
2. Why does the man’s ticking of his watch bother him so much?
3. Is one of the versions of time more important or powerful than the other? Cite reasons for
your answer.
American Literature and Composition Honors
Ambrose Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
Deception/Illusion
The words deception and illusion describe statements or perceptions that are not in keeping with
reality. Oftentimes people view active deception as dangerous and despicable, but people
sometimes also desire “sweet lies” or illusions (e.g. T.S. Eliot said that “humankind cannot bear
very much reality”).
Questions to guide discussion:
1. How do deception and illusion apply to the story?
2. Apply deception to the following story elements: Ambrose Bierce/narrator, Peyton
Farquhar, the Federal spy. Which of these deceptions would you say are justifiable? Which
are immoral?
3. Reread lines 173-186. Use what you know about Farquhar’s situation to decide if his
descriptions here are realistic or fantastic.
American Literature and Composition Honors
Ambrose Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
Dreams vs. Reality
Questions to guide discussion:
1. Peyton is the Scottish form of Patrick, a name whose derivation comes from the Latin
word “patrician,” which referred to a person of noble birth. Similarly, Farquhar comes
from the Gaelic Fearachar, meaning “manly” or “brave.” Does Peyton Farquhar live up to
his name? What or who does Bierce seek to satirize through Farquhar’s character?
2. Based on Farquhar’s dreams of glory and his ultimate fate, what point might Bierce be
making about heroism, the realities of war, and the dangers of fantasy?
3. Does Bierce think that dreams should overlap with reality, or is it better if dreams do not
have anything to do with reality?
American Literature and Composition Honors
Ambrose Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
Point of View
Questions to guide discussion:
1. Identify the point of view utilized in lines 1-15. What does the tone of the
description tell you about the narrator’s perspective?
2. Reread lines 143-160. Identify the change in point of view in Part III. What details
does the author use to capture the panic of a man in danger of drowning?
3. Explain how the shifts in point of view affect the level of suspense.
American Literature and Composition Honors
Ambrose Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
The Relationship between the Inner and Outer Worlds
Review the two chief types of satire below.
o
Horatian Satire--After the Roman satirist Horace: Satire in which the voice is indulgent,
tolerant, amused, and witty. The speaker holds up to gentle ridicule the absurdities and
follies of human beings, aiming at producing in the reader not the anger of a Juvenal, but a
wry smile. Examples: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice; The Office (Michael Scott’s
absurd egotism and lack of propriety—characters are flawed but lovable)
o
Juvenalian Satire—After the Roman satirist Juvenal: Formal satire in which the
speaker attacks vice and error with contempt and indignation. Juvenalian satire in
its realism and its harshness is in strong contrast to Horatian satire. Example:
Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”
Questions to guide discussion:
1. What is the point Bierce makes about human nature if a reader falls prey to
illusions?
2. Determine whether Farquhar is the object of Horatian or Juvenalian satire. Find at
least TWO quotes that support your answer.
3. Which symbol in Huck Finn best corresponds to Ambrose Bierce’s view of
Farquhar’s romantic illusions?