silhouette of a man half submerged in water wiht a noose around his neck

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

by Ambrose Bierce

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Student Question

What are three difficulties Farquhar overcomes in the stream?

Quick answer:

Farquhar overcomes three main difficulties in the stream: he first unties his wrists and removes the rope from his neck, allowing him to surface for air. He then dives deep to avoid being shot, successfully evading the gunfire. Finally, he fights his way back to the surface and continues to swim downstream, aided by the current, in his attempt to escape.

Expert Answers

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First he manages to get his wrists untied. Then he claws the rope away from his neck. He fights his way to the surface and bursts out of the water breathing in great gulps of air. He then finds he must then dive deep down into the stream to avoid being shot. Once again he fights his way to the surface and emerges downstream and continues to swim along with the current in his apparent attempt at escape.

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