“The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” by Ambrose Bierce tells the story of a man being executed. As the man dies he imagines his escape. Facing death, the man wants nothing more ten to go home to his family. During his journey home, the man comes to appreciate life. Perhaps he sees how he should have lived, only as a dying man could. When faced with death he truly begins to realize what he has lost.
This story might show us how death can enlighten us about life. It is said that when you die your life passes before your eyes. A similar situation occurs in the aforementioned story. Even though the man did not see his life passing, he saw himself living on, escaping his captors. During this imaginary journey he notices little things about life. He holds sacred, minute details he might not have paid much attention to during his life.
Even though his liveliness is only a product of his imagination, he is grateful to be alive. In the grasp of death he appreciates life. Death is sometimes considered unthinkable. People do not wish to think of loved ones dying. When someone close to us dies we are over come with sadness. We wish we had more time with them.
Their death shows us the importance of that person’s role in our lives. We begin to think of how we will live our lives without them. We think of all the moments we shared with them, they live again in our memories. Perhaps death is considered unthinkable because we fear it. Only when presented with death do we conquer our fear and truly begin to appreciate life.
The Term Paper on Death Mans Path
The title of this story “Dead Mans Path” foreshadows the series of events about to take place in the story. “Dead Mans Path” does not only refer to the ancestral pathway but also refers to Obis choice of action. His “path” by not compromising has made him a “Dead Man”. Dead in this context is not death, but is referring to his failure. His dream ...
“Death is a dignitary who, when he comes announced, is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him.” This is a quote from “The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” This quote illustrates more of the human nature associated with death. When the condemned man is about to die the author describes the onlookers as statue like. All is quiet as they stand watching, waiting for the man to die. Even though this audience is part of the organization condemning the man, they are respectful to the loss of life. Perhaps, while watching, the soldiers consider what it would be like if they were in this man’s shoes. They might be thinking about how grateful they are to be alive.
They may even share some of the same thoughts as the condemned man. In the presence of death they are thinking of life. It seems that only when presented with death, we realize the little but very important aspects of life. Living, being alive, things we should probably hold higher in our day to day thought’s than most of us do. The importance of having a job, success, and obtaining wealth mask us to the fact that life is short. In the aforementioned story, just before the man dies, he is thinking about his family and his home.
Only in death, can the man see their importance in his life. The reason for his death is no longer important. In the end his only thoughts are of what he loved most. In the story “The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” a man is executed. Before the man dies he imagines himself escaping. In his imaginary journey he returns home to his family.
Thoughts of his family were his last. Only in death did the man truly respect life. This story could be seen as showing us the importance of life and death. It shows us how death is a lesson most often learned too late.
Unthinkable, maybe, but not unheard of, death is a requirement for a life to be lived.
