BASIC PLOT
where Peyton Farquhar is standing at the beginning of the story
what is owl creek bridge?
This is the state where the story takes place.
What is Alabama?
This is Farquhar's occupation before the war.
What is a planter (or plantation owner)?
In Farquhar's fantasy, he believes he falls into this body of water after the rope breaks.
What is Owl Creek?
This is the method of execution being used on Farquhar.
what is hanging?
what Farquhar is doing before his capture (supposedly)
what is burning the bridge?
This is the war during which the story is set.
What is the Civil War?
This is the color of the uniform worn by the soldiers executing Farquhar.
What is blue (Union blue)?
This is where Farquhar believes he emerges from the water during his escape
What is downstream (or further down the creek)?
This is what Farquhar notices about the ticking of his watch while waiting to be hanged.
what is being unnaturally loud and slow?
what happens to the plank beneath his feet
what is removed?
These are the two opposing sides in the war during this story.
What are the Union and the Confederacy?
This person, disguised as a Confederate soldier, tricks Farquhar into attempting sabotage.
Who is the Union scout (or Federal scout)?
This is the sound that Farquhar hears repeatedly during his fantasy escape
What is cannon fire (or artillery)?
This is the actual physical position Farquhar is in throughout most of the story.
What is standing on a plank with a noose around his neck?
what Farquhar believes happens
what is the escape and journey home?
This is the time of day when the execution takes place.
What is morning (or dawn)?
This is what the Union scout tells Farquhar about the bridge's vulnerability.
What is that it could be easily burned by dropping driftwood against it?
This is what Farquhar feels hitting his face during his imagined escape through the water.
What is sunlight (filtering through the trees)?
This is the distance Farquhar imagines traveling during his escape fantasy.
what is home?
This is the actual moment when Farquhar's fantasy ends and reality returns.
What is when his neck breaks (or when he dies)?
This is how long the entire story actually takes place in real time.
What are a few seconds (or moments)?
This is what Farquhar's wife is doing when he imagines seeing her at the end.
What is waiting for him (or standing at the gate)?
This is what Farquhar notices about the forest during his imagined journey home that seems unnaturally enhanced.
What are the details (trees, leaves, insects appearing incredibly vivid/detailed)?
This is what happens in the final line that reveals the truth about Farquhar's "escape."
what is he died?