An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge Group

Question:

jlsigel
jlsigel
Student
High School - 11th Grade

In "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," what is a crucial moment in Peyton Farquhar's life?

Rate question:

Posted by jlsigel on Friday May 15, 2009 at 5:05 PM and tagged with an occurrence at owl creek bridge, crucial moment, peyton, plot.

Answers:

  1. mshurn
    mshurn Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    Perhaps the most crucial moment in Peyton's life occurs during his conversation with the Federal scout in Part II of the story. Peyton believes he is speaking with a Confederate soldier whose loyalty to the South he can trust; he is instead speaking to the enemy. As a result of this conversation, Peyton is lured into his attempt to burn Owl Creek Bridge. He will have no chance to succeed, of course, since the enemy will be waiting for him. Peyton does try to burn the bridge, he is caught, and then he is executed by the Union force securing the bridge. Peyton's fate is determined by his crucial conversation with the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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

    Rate answer:

    Posted by mshurn on Friday May 15, 2009 at 6:25 PM