Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Casualties Of War By Ambrose Bierce - 1097 Words

Matthew Bronson English 1102 Dr. Allen 13 July 2016 Casualties of War Ambrose Bierce is noted as a literary genius for his short stories on the civil war. His military experience during the Civil War allowed him to write some of his most memorable short stories. He is most noted for his story, â€Å"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.† It is a story of a man’s last thoughts before being hanged. The story tells about a man, Peyton Farquhar, who was deceived and is condemned to death for doing what he thought would be helping the Confederate Army. In the moment before Farquhar’s death, Bierce paints the reader a colorful description of what goes through Farquhar’s mind. Through what he saw and experienced in the Civil War along with his†¦show more content†¦According to Napier Wilt, â€Å"Following Shiloh [Bierce’s] regiment took part in the siege of Corinth and after the evacuation of the city, was engaged in guarding a repairing the railroads in the vicinity† (Wilt, 262). Bierce , being a part of railroad construction knew exactly how to describe it. He uses his skill learned as a journalist and his experience in the war to paint a clear picture of the railroad bridge and how Farquhar is bound. His use of imagery not only allows the readers to visualize the people but the scenery as well. Bierce describes how Farquhar feels after his escape in great detail. After Farquhar falls through the bridge Bierce states, â€Å"These pains appeared to flash along well-defined lines of ramification, and to beat with an inconceivably rapid periodicity. They seemed like streams of pulsating fire heating him to an intolerable temperature† (554). The way he describes the pain lets the reader know the pain Farquhar is feeling is intense and throbbing. Wilt writes, â€Å"Bierce enlisted as a private in Company C, Ninth Indiana Infantry in 1861, where he served until 1865† (Wilt, 261). During this period, he was involved in some of the bloodiest battles during the Civil War. Being a firsthand witness to the carnage of war, along with his journalism background, allows Bierce to describe pain in a way the reader can virtually see and feel what Farquhar is going through. Bierce gives the reader a vivid vision of

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.