Bierce Journal

Jonathan Harrison Jan 10, 2009
Author Ambrose Bierce

"The sardonic view of human nature that informed his work- along with his vehemence as a critic- earned him the nickname of Bitter Bierce." (wikipedia)

The story " An Occurance at Owl Creek Ridge" had an overall depressing tone to it. One follows the main character and once he sees the light he is killed. The tone definately reflects the authors opinions of the time and the quote shows that This story is most not an aborition but a prime example of the style in which Bierce embraces.

This nickname, of Bitter Bierce, seems to fit Ambrose like a glove as the story "An occurance at Owl Creek Ridge," shows that it takes extreme situations for human beings to realize what they have, and the ending, in which Peyton Farquhar realizes too late all the beauties that life beholds, is an example of this bitterness as one starts to feel the joy that Peyton does only to have it ripped away by his death. It is clear that the main point Bierce is trying to get humankind to notice by writing this story is to appreciate all the little things that life has to offer. He would like the human race to enjoy what they have instead of always wanting more. After Peyton brakes free from his noose, or so he thinks, everything around him changes. He picks up the sand and it looks like diamonds, rubies and emaralds. he glances up at the trees and they looked like a giant beautiful garden rich with all sorts of naturall fragrances. The point Ambrose is making is that we shouldn't have to be put to the brink of death to start to appreciate such little pleasentries that life presents us with. We should play the hand of cards that we are all dealt and play them to the fullest instead of what some people do by immediately folding. Ambrose Bierce may be nicknamed Bitter Bierce but he has some good thoughts and ideas that all humankind should think about. If greed and the want for more disappered would their still be wars, famine or other majoir problems, maybe maybe not, but most people would be a little bit happier if they realized what they had instead of longing for what they don't.