Study Guide Questions for “Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
Please answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. From what point of view is the beginning of this story told? At what point does the point of
view change?
2. What is the setting of this story?
3. How are the sentinels behaving? Why might they be behaving in this manner?
4. What is the man about to be hung thinking about?
5. The phrase “they hurt his ears like the thrust of a knife” is an example of what literary
technique?
6. How do time and sound change for the man as the moment of his hanging nears?
7. What is the occupation of the man about to be hanged?
8. Did the man about to be hanged side with the North or the South?
9.
What news does the soldier bring Farquhar and Farquhar’s wife?
10. What is the true identity of the soldier that visits Farquhar?
11. Describe Farquhar’s experience as he falls into the water?
12. Does Farquhar ever really escape? If not, explain why he provides the details about the escape.
What is really happening?
13. What realist/naturalist beliefs are evident in this work?