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  • Essay / Main character in the story of Owl Creek Bridge

    Peyton Farquhar was a plantation owner, slave owner, and highly respected Southern gentleman. He loved the South with a burning passion, and because of his love for the Confederacy, he attempted to join the army, but was refused. Farquhar still hasn't given up. He was so driven, so driven for the South and its cause. Although Farquhar wanted to serve the South, his tough determination turned into an unrealistic dream. He was characterized by overconfidence which ultimately led to his death. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"?Get the original essayFarquhar's dedication to the South was characterized by his risk-taking nature. This was initially due to his refusal to become a soldier for the South. Farquhar would do absolutely anything to help the South during the war. This is demonstrated when he attempted to burn the railroad bridge the Yankees were working on. He knew it would result in death if he was caught, but he did it anyway. The “daydream” manifests itself whenever Farquhar thought he would be able to do anything for the South if he tried. In the end, he was wrong. Farquhar was sitting on a bench with his wife on their plantation when a soldier arrived. He asked for water and as Ms Farquhar went to get some, the two men talked. The soldier told Farquhar that his army was repairing the railroad tracks and preparing for another advance at the Owl Creek Bridge. As he asked about the position of the picket post and sentry, Farquhar was, in his mind, hatching a plan to aid the Confederate Army. Here his passion for helping the South is demonstrated. They continued talking and the soldier told Farquhar that if one got past the picket post and the sentry, he could set the bridge on fire with the dry driftwood that had been deposited under the bridge during a flood the previous winter. At this point Farquhar's plan was explained to him. He was determined to help the South in any way he could; thus, he took this opportunity even if it meant death. He didn't even know if his plan would succeed, but because he thought he would be of great help to the Confederate Army, he strove to accomplish what he thought he could. Farquhar's unrealistic dream is also seen when he is being suspended. Because he felt so passionate about the South and was willing to die for it, he imagined himself doing what was realistically improbable: escaping the noose to further contribute to a Confederate victory in the war. Farquhar was hanged, and as he died, he slowly imagined the rope breaking and him falling into the stream. He begins to drown, then after his senses return, he swims to the surface, gasping for air, as he finds himself shot down by Yankee soldiers on the bridge. He tries to swim down the stream to escape the shots and succeeds. Farquhar then imagined himself returning home to his wife, just as he finally passed out and his dream was no more. Farquhar's apparent reality was too far-fetched, and instead of facing the truth that he couldn't survive to help the South, he died for his actions. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized paper now from our Farquhar wholeheartedly believed that he was, even if not physically, a Confederate soldier when in fact he was not one at all. His dedication led him to take risks. His risk-taking was too great and he died because of it..