How Does Bierce Create Suspense In An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

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The short story “Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce takes place during the Civil War. In this story, Peyton Farquhar, a plantation owner is sentenced to hanging for attempting to burn the Owl Creek Bridge. There are many points in the story where Bierce develops suspense. Before readers start reading Bierce sets the story in media res. Media res is latin for “the middle of things.” Because of Bierce doing so, it creates suspense by allowing the reader to wonder what is happening or what will happen next. “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” develops suspense due to the settings, the use of Peyton Farquhar’s senses, and the use of flashbacks. One example of how Bierce creates suspense is the way he uses flashbacks. Flashbacks