Peyton Farquhar's thoughts before dying and the details described in An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce are both believable and convincing. The last scene in the story is very appropriate from a psychological standpoint. Peyton is a gentleman with strong beliefs about his place in society. He is extremely devoted to the Southern cause. Peyton is a planter, slave owner, and politician, respected for his loyalty. The story begins as Farquhar is about to be hanged for trespassing on a blockaded railroad bridge. Although his crime may seem minor, there are no exceptions to the liberal military code. While Farquhar is thinking of how he might be able to escape this dangerous predicament, he suddenly falls into the water below and loses consciousness. He is dead. However, his thoughts of escaping continue in his mind: He is shot at from the bridge above him but manages to rise to the surface of the water and get onto the land safely. He starts to fall asleep while walking and dreams about his beautiful wife. Just as he is about to hug her, he feels a sudden pain on the back of his neck. He has been shot. Reality resumes as his dead body swings gently beneath the Owl Creek Bridge. .
Peyton's thoughts while hanging from the Owl Creek Bridge seem quite convincing. He thinks first of his wife and children, which any loving husband and father would do while in their last moments. After thinking of his beautiful family, he decides it is too soon to give up hope, so Peyton begins thinking of how he might escape and survive. However, his survival is indeed impossible. Peyton falls into the water below and his body loses consciousness. His mind is still alive, however, and Peyton imagines how he could have escaped. In Peyton's mind, he does break free and manages to get away from the soldiers. Although he is so close to freedom, he is too weak to move on. Thoughts of his family begin to fill his head once again.
