Question

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge%0D%0Aby Ambrose Bierce%0D%0A%0D%0AThe preparations being complete, the two private soldiers stepped aside and each drew away the plank upon which he had been standing. The sergeant turned to the captain, saluted and placed himself immediately behind that officer, who in turn moved apart one pace. These movements left the condemned man and the sergeant standing on the two ends of the same plank, which spanned three of the cross-ties of the bridge. The end upon which the civilian stood almost, but not quite, reached a fourth. This plank had been held in place by the weight of the captain; it was now held by that of the sergeant. At a signal from the former the latter would step aside, the plank would tilt and the condemned man go down between two ties. The arrangement commended itself to his judgement as simple and effective. His face had not been covered nor his eyes bandaged. He looked a moment at his “unsteadfast footing,” then let his gaze wander to the swirling water of the stream racing madly beneath his feet. A piece of dancing driftwood caught his attention and his eyes followed it down the current. How slowly it appeared to move! What a sluggish stream!%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce%0D%0A%0D%0AQuestion%0D%0AUse the passage to answer the question.%0D%0A%0D%0AAnalyze the passage. What theme does the author convey?%0D%0A%0D%0A(1 point)%0D%0AResponses%0D%0A%0D%0AThe instinct for survival is the strongest of all.%0D%0AThe instinct for survival is the strongest of all.%0D%0A%0D%0ALife is fleeting and can end at any moment.%0D%0ALife is fleeting and can end at any moment.%0D%0A%0D%0AIt is important to do a job well.%0D%0AIt is important to do a job well.%0D%0A%0D%0APeople should have mercy on others.

Answer 1

The passage from "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce conveys the theme that **life is fleeting and can end at any moment**. The description of the condemned man’s impending execution, coupled with his momentary distraction by the drifting piece of wood, emphasizes the fragility of life and the stark reality that it can be lost in an instant. The juxtaposition of the man's thoughts as he awaits his fate highlights the tension between his current state of being and the imminent death he faces.