- In Part 1, Bierce includes few
details about the condemned man and does not reveal the reason why he is being hung. How does this help create suspense?
When Bierce does not include many details about the condemned
man being hung, it creates suspense. It creates suspense because without details
the reader is guessing and questioning why this condemned man is being hung. The
story would not urge the reader to read on if it came out and told every detail about the condemned man.
- In what ways are the condemned
man’s perceptions of time and motion distorted as he is waiting to be hanged? Why are his distorted perceptions important?
Time and motion seem to move slowly for the condemned man. It also seems as though the condemned mans thoughts run quickly through his mind,
constantly changing. His perceptions show that this man does not want to die. All of his thoughts and plans that come into mind all show that the condemned man
does not want to die. His every thought, is about what is going to happen when
he dies, or about how his family is far enough away to be safe.
- What seems to be the narrator’s
attitude toward Farquhar in Part II? What is the narrator’s attitude toward war?
Farquar is portrayed to be a normal, everyday planter that
owns slaves and comes for a highly respected Alabama family.
He was also kind and courageous. War is portrayed to be a disaster.
- Considering the outcome of the
story, what is ironic or surprising about Farquhar’s longing for the “larger life of a soldier?” What is
ironic about the fact that Farquhar agrees with the saying that “all is fair in love and war?”
- What details in Part III suggests
that Farquhar’s journey occurs in his mind? How is the journey connected with the plan of escape that occurs to him
moments before he is hanged?
His journey leads him through the pathway back to his home. Right as he
gets to his home though, the rope goes taut and he dies.
- Explain whether you think the portrayal
of Farquhar’s final thoughts and sensations is realistic.
The portrayal of Farquar’s final thoughts are very realistic.
The story was very confusing to me and it took me some time to figure out that his story was only in his mind. The author made it seem as if he really had escaped and was going home.
- Point of view refers to the vantage
point from which the story is told. Why is the limited third-person point of view appropriate for this story? How might
the story be different if Bierce had used an omniscient third-person narrator?
The limited third-person point of view is appropriate for this
story. If Bierce used an omniscient third-person narrator people could of how
they could live when they are dieing.
- How does Bierce’s use of
flashback contribute to the effectiveness of the story?
