Ambrose Bierce's An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

In An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, Ambrose Bierce depicts a potential hanging of a Southern slave-owner by Union Soldiers. The planter, Peyton Farquhar, is a southern sympathizer and attempted to sabotage union troops from rebuilding a railroad. Farquhar was given information about the railroad from a union spy posing as a southern scout in order to attract those who would try to support the southern cause. Once he is captured and hanged, the noose breaks and he plunges down into the river below. He manages to escape from the troops even though they are firing at him and return to his family. However, it is relieved that in actuality, the noose did not break and he was hanging the entire time he thought he had escaped.
Bierce writes a very realistic story in the case that is could have actually occurred. During the civil war, Union troops were constantly attempting to advance into the south. Railroads were

Paul’s depression and suicidal thoughts continue to course his mind. He imagines scenarios where his father mistakes him for an intruder and shoots him dead, and another where his father did not kill him, but later wishes that he had. Paul continues on his path and eventually steals money to fuel a lavish adventure in New York City. Paul hates being part of the middle class and would rather be wealthy. He believes that if he were to have money, it would make his life easier and he would actually have some importance. He places too much blame on uncontrollable circumstances and not enough on himself and how he could change his life. He is so self-absorbed that he never considers the consequences of his actions on others, such as his father who paid back the money he stole and goes to New York to search for his son. Even when he dies to ultimately end his life, he does not consider how his family will mourn, but instead of all the places he will never have a chance to