Journal 7 Ambrose Bierce - Don't Trust Anyone

Allister Lo
English 48B
January 18, 2008
Journal 7 Ambrose Bierce

Quote: “An hour later, after nightfall, he repassed the plantation, going northward in the direction from which he had come. He was a Federal Scout” (362).

Summary: In this passage, a Federal Scout, disguised in a Confederate uniform, tells Peyton that about Owl Creek Bridge and the situation there. With Peyton hearing this information, he gets the idea to sabotage the bridge, which leads to his eventual death.

Response: This line is very subtle, however it is a huge development in the story in that it changes its whole complexion. Initially, you are reading about the history of Peyton Farquhar, and he seems like an innocent civilian, someone who just wants to do what he can to help out his country. However, he is betrayed by someone who he thinks is a friend.

This line really struck me as powerful, because as I was reading through the story, I was wondering to myself how Peyton had gotten himself into this situation. The reason lies in one line, and it is said simply, and it is easy to just skip over it as insignificant. In this line, I think Bierce, whose writing has a reputation for being pessimistic and cynical, is trying to get across two points.

The first point is a jab at nationalism. Peyton is only trying to serve his country in going out to Owl Creek Bridge. Since he could not join the army, he is trying to do what he can and for what? For duty to his country, which he feels will define him as a good citizen. Instead he is deceived by someone and ends up paying the ultimate sacrifice for its loyalty: death.

The second point that Bierce is trying to get across is that you cannot trust anyone. It might seem like a stretch, but the gravity with which this quote was stated and its delivery at the end of a section seems to support this. Right after hearing that he was a Federal scout, the next scene is of Peyton Farquhar again hanging from a bridge, his life literally hanging in the balance.