An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge Group

Question:

dubbsy
dubbsy
Student
High School - 9th Grade

How can I compare the family fighting in my life and wanting to escape to Peyton Farquhar's false escape?

right now i am having trouble with language arts class and need a lot of help.

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Posted by dubbsy on Monday February 9, 2009 at 2:03 PM and tagged with an occurrence at owl creek bridge, escape, peyton.

Answers:


  1. michael336 Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Two areas come to mind that can form the basis for comparison.  First of all is Farquhar's heightened sensitivity, for example hearing his watch ticking unnaturally loudly.  Everything hits the senses with more force than in a calmer situation.  In the case of a family fight, you might be extra sensitive to what others say (or don't say).  What may normally be brushed off as inconsequential, will take on more importance in a tense situation, open to a different and very negative interpretation.

    Also, Farquhar's false escape is more like "wishful thinking."  It has no basis in reality, but simply what he wishes would happen.    In the same way, dreams of escape from a tense situation are going to be out of touch with what is possible.  Perhaps even thoughts of revenge will fall into this category.

    Sadly, Farquhar facing reality would not improve his chances.  However, in the case of a family quarrel, we always have the ability to choose our response, even though we may not have the choice of the actual circumstance.  Therein lies hope.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/occurrence-owl/

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    Posted by michael336 on Monday February 9, 2009 at 3:25 PM

  2. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Fighting at home, with family, leads to a desire to escape reality.  This is exactly what Peyton Farquhar does in "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge."  Just like the character in the story, who creates a fantasy in his mind to escape from the horrors of execution, you, as a young person, struggling with your family, will escape into your own world, whether it be music, or video games, or talking to friends on the Internet.

    Farquhar's temporary escape does not serve to change his fate, it is too late for him.  I hope that your temporary escape from reality will result in better and improved circumstances in your family.

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    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Monday February 9, 2009 at 4:38 PM