Job the Fifth!

Job #5!

"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." The two stories have so much in common, yet there are key elements in the stories that differ greatly. While, at first glance, the styles of the stories seem similar - if not the same - they diverge in very subtle ways.

At first, it would seem that "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a darker, more sinister story than "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." In the former, there are supernatural influences and the usage of fear that add a rather ghost-story-esque feel to the plot. However, despite the ghosts and legends and enchantments of "Sleepy Hollow," the overall message of the story isn't as twisted and conflicted as the message of "Owl Creek Bridge." Whereas the reader walks away from the first story feeling entertained, he or she doesn't feel the same way after reading the second. There are so many questions left unanswered.

Also, "Sleepy Hollow" doesn't seem to attack any current events or venture into debated waters. But "Owl Creek Bridge" delves right into the heart of what was going on at the time it was written - the characters are deeply involved in the modern issues of the time - slavery. War. Punishment.

And what of the endings? Yes, "Sleepy Hollow" doesn't resolve itself exactly merrily, but the reader gets the sense that in the end, everything turned out alright. In "Owl Creek Bridge," however, the conclusion is morbid, and there is no escaping the fact that death has marked the end.

All that being said, though, there are certainly ways in which the stories are similar. For example, the protagonists of both stories don't seem to be much of heroes, and it would seem that the readers don't exactly know if they're siding with the protagonists or not. There isn't much character development in either story - this, too, is a common bond of both stories. And overall, there is an aura of melancholy that envelops both stories. And no matter what the storyline, neither story is to be quickly forgotten.

Job the Fourth!

Job #4!

Hmmm...a thinking question.

I was trying to come up with some incredible question with such insane intellect that you'd all be like "WHOA," but my question isn't going to be insanely intellectual. In fact, it's pretty basic. But it's a question that I genuinely want to know what you guys think about it.

What was the point of this story?

I know, it's not a very original question. But I think it's one that needs to be answered about every book or story or poem, in order to get its full effect. We could ask all these complicated questions about the plot, the characters, the details, but what is the message? Doesn't that need to be asked?

What was the point of this story? Do you think it was merely a story, or do you think Bierce was trying to get a point across?

Job the Third!

Job #3!

1. Secessionist. "Being a slave owner and like other slave owners a politician he was naturally an original secessionist and ardently devoted to the Southern cause," Chapter II.

2. Dictum. "No service was too humble for him to perform in aid of the South, no adventure too perilous for him to undertake if consistent with the character of a civilian who was at heart a soldier, and who in good faith and without too much qualification assented to at least a part of the frankly villainous dictum that all is fair in love and war," Chapter II.

3. Preternatural [the word "preternaturally" - the adverbial form of "preternatural" - is used in the text]. "They [his senses] were, indeed, preternaturally keen and alert," Chapter III.

4. Æolian. "A strange, roseate light shone through the spaces among their trunks and the wind made in their branches the music of Æolian harps," Chapter III.

5. Malign. "He was sure they were arranged in some order which had a secret and malign significance," Chapter III.

Job the Second!

Job #2!

At the expense of sounding far too overdramatic (which would DEFINITELY not be the norm for me), I'm going to relate the event of Farquhar's almost-redemption-but-actually-sudden-death to something that I think most of us, as humans, can relate to.

Despite the fact that I disagree strongly with Farquhar's slaving-"owning" ways, and even though he is described as a staunch Confederate, I found myself holding onto a sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe, he would live. Yes, I predicted the ending, but no matter who the protagonist is, I (as a reader) usually find myself rooting for him or her, even if I'm confused as to why I'm doing so. And so, as Farquhar "escaped" his death and ran for freedom, I found myself inwardly pulling for him. His escape, his freedom, was practically at his fingertips...only a little more running, and he'll get there...only a few more steps, and he can return to his family and live...

And then, he dies. In one instant, the thing which he pursued so fervently is snatched from him. And can't we all, as humans, relate to that? Sure, none of us have stood over a river with a noose around our necks and the enemies' guns trained on us - at least, I hope not - but haven't we all chased after something we want so badly...only to have it taken from us, right before we attain it?

Even before I read the second job, I knew I wanted to write something about this. Because honestly, hidden in the rubble of descriptions and information and tension, I find a theme of "Dashed Hopes" in An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. And if we're honest with ourselves, we readers will acknowledge that yes, we have been in Farquhar's shoes - watching as our last glimmer of hope fades away.

I guess it kind of touched a soft spot within my soul.

Job the First!

Job #1!

"[He] had a kindly expression which one would hardly have expected in one whose neck was in the hemp. Evidently this was no vulgar assassin." (I)

I find it interesting that Ambrose Bierce, having been a part of the Union, would write so favorably about a protagonist, Peyton Farquhar, who is described as a slave owner and "ardently devoted to the Southern cause." In fact, never does Bierce mention anything uncomplimentary about Farquhar. The reader is left to make his or her own opinions on the integrity and likableness of this Confederate protagonist. There are only vague descriptions of the man's character.

As a reader, I wasn't sure whether I should like Farquhar or not. I think a part of the reader always wants to sympathize with the protagonist, and when there is something about the protagonist (in this case, Farquhar's loyalty to the Southern cause) that is against the reader's personal convictions, the reader is left confused. Should I root for the protagonist? There's nothing particularly unlikable about his personality; but can I really root for a Confederate? Yes, the passage at the top states that he has a kindly expression - but can a slave owner truly have a kindly heart? No, maybe he's not a vulgar assassin - but must I still be disappointed if he dies?

Bierce, you've really created a perplexing character here.

Take Two.

Okay, where did all the dramatic go?

My first post was supposed to introduce me and provide some general information about myself. But after reading the post again, I'm thinking, I need to redo this! Where did all the dramatic go? So this is introduction, Take Two.

So...here I am! Lady Rachel! You may all stand in awe of me, if you wish.

I'll leave you with a two-stanza haiku. I think poetry would best capture the essence of me, as opposed to merely writing prose about who I am.
Her writerly soul
Reason, replaced with feeling
Shards of heart, written
~
Write soul on paper
For engraved in her being
Her writerly ways

So...there I am.