Why is Peyton Farquhar not involved with the army in "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge"?
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The narrator tells us that Peyton Farquhar is a wealthy plantation owner who ardently supports the Confederate cause against the Union Army. Despite his affinity for the Confederacy and his devotion to the Southern cause, Peyton does not enlist in the Confederate Army. The only evidence that directly relates to Peyton's decision to not enlist in the Confederate Army is when the narrator mentions "Circumstances of an imperious nature, which is it unnecessary to relate here, had prevented him [Peyton] from taking service with that gallant army..." (Bierce, 2).
This comment suggests that Peyton Farquhar was too imperious, or arrogant and domineering, to enlist in the Confederate Army. Essentially, Peyton is a wealthy, arrogant man, who would not be inclined to take commands from a Confederate officer and be bossed around like a lowly commoner. The narrator does not want to elaborate on the circumstances of Peyton's "imperious nature" but the reader can infer that Peyton is too bossy and...
(The entire section contains 3 answers and 580 words.)
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