Your teacher will review your response to ensure you receive proper credit for your answer. In three to five sentences, explain how Ambrose Bierce's use of foreshadowing or flashback influences "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge."
Ambrose Bierce's use of foreshadowing and flashback greatly shapes the narrative of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." The story opens with a detailed description of the protagonist's impending hanging, creating a sense of impending doom. As the story progresses, Bierce utilizes flashbacks to reveal the protagonist's past and build sympathy for him, intensifying the reader's anticipation for the climax. These narrative techniques serve to heighten the impact of the unexpected twist ending, where the protagonist's escape is revealed to be a hallucination during his last moments of life.
