Job #1 - Line Illuminator!
" Suppose a man -a civilian and student of hanging - should elude the picket post and perhaps get the better of the sentinel," said Fahrquhar, smiling, " what could he accomplish? " (2)
Fahrquhar seemed like a nice man. He cared for his family. He and his wife were friendly to the horseman. We don't know if he did anything at the bridge. Did he really do anything or did the Yankee soldiers just kill him?
Nice question, Mercy! Ambrose Bierce does a good job of writing about the horrors of war, not just for soldiers but also for citizens of the South, where most of the fighting in the Civil War took place. It doesn't seem fair, does it?
ReplyDeleteGood observation, Mercy. Peyton Farquhar did seem like a nice man, only "ardently devoted to the Southern cause" (Chapter II). In the story itself, it is unclear how much Farquhar did accomplish to destroy the bridge but it is evident that his mission failed because the bridge was still standing for the Yankee soldiers to hang him on.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Braden's theory that the horseman was actually a Union soldier in disguise who tricked Farquhar into coming on order to get him captured, and that the Union forces were prepared for his arrival.
Farquhar was warned by the horseman about the penalty for interfering with the bridges, so his fate was no surprise to him. Farquhar's intentions were clear to the Union forces who apprehended him and I think the the punishment of hanging, at least from a strictly legal point of view, was justifiable as criminal justice.
Hi Mercy! During the Civil War, Northern Alabama (where the story takes place) had a LOT of guerilla (partisan) warfare going on! Therefore, since the Union forces had their hands full with bands of partisans, they took pre-emptive measures to make sure Farquhar wouldn't join these partisans.
ReplyDeleteOr, in plain English, the Union scout convinced Farquhar to attempt to sabotage the bridge so that they could get Farquhar out of the picture, and there would be one less Confederate sympathizer making trouble for them.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great question, Mercy. I was thinking the same thing. Killing innocent civilians is not something that I would want done(or want to read about) But it was a very real part of the civil war and sadly, it happened all the time. It doesn’t seem fair that Peyton Fahrquhar barely had any time to prepare or defend himself. They just killed him quickly without a trial or anything.
ReplyDeleteNice thought Claire. What happened in the story was a very real part of the Civil War and you have some good points about it not being fair (though I'm not sure what difference a trial would make in his sentence!).
DeleteIn reference to the fact that Peyton Farquhar barely had time to prepare himself for his death, I personally think that Farquhar should have accepted the fact that he could be killed BEFORE he went to Owl Creek Bridge, even if what the Federal scout said was true. After all, it only takes a single gunshot to end a life.
Hello Mercy! That is a fantastic question. Actually I do not think that I really understood that part well the first time I read it. It is a bit confusing. I think that during the Civil War, or any war for that matter, people are just naturally more tense, and they will react quickly. In this case the Yanks probably hanged Fahrquhar simply because they could not afford to let a possible enemy loose to help the South. From history though, we know that this sort of thing happened often, unfortunately. It is so sad that civilians were killed in the process of the war. Do you all think Fahrquhar deserved this?
ReplyDeleteFarquhar's line of questioning pretty much revealed his intentions. He knew what the punishment was if he were caught, but he foolishly carried on anyways. I know this sounds harsh, but yes, he got what he deserved.
DeleteI’m not sure whether I think Fahrquhar deserved this or not..he was a nice man who wasn’t technically trying to harm the soldiers. Although I agree with Braden that he was warned and continued to do what he was told not to. So I guess he may have deserved it in a way. Still sad tho!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Claire and Braden. The only way that Peyton Farquhar would have been innocent would be if he stumbled upon Owl Creek Bridge by accident and was hanged. Although, even though Farquhar may have had to die for his actions, the penalty of hanging does sound harsh.
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