An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

Question

by Ambrose Bierce

Peyton Farquhar was a well to do planter, of an old and highly respected Alabama family. Being a slave owner and like other slave owners a politician, he was naturally an original secessionist and ardently devoted to the Southern cause. Circumstances of an imperious nature, which it is unnecessary to relate here, had prevented him from taking service with that gallant army which had fought the disastrous campaigns ending with the fall of Corinth, and he chafed under the inglorious restraint, longing for the release of his energies, the larger life of the soldier, the opportunity for distinction. That opportunity, he felt, would come, as it comes to all in wartime. Meanwhile he did what he could. No service was too humble for him to perform in the 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.

"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce

Question
Use the passage from “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” to answer the question.

Which line from the passage supports the theme "War tests character on and off the battlefield"? Select the two correct answers.

(1 point)
Responses

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

"No service was too humble for him to perform in the 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. . ."
"No service was too humble for him to perform in the 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. . ."

"Circumstances of an imperious nature, which it is unnecessary to relate here, had prevented him from taking service with that gallant army. . ."
"Circumstances of an imperious nature, which it is unnecessary to relate here, had prevented him from taking service with that gallant army. . ."

". . .he chafed under the inglorious restraint, longing for the release of his energies, the larger life of the soldier, the opportunity for distinction."
". . .he chafed under the inglorious restraint, longing for the release of his energies, the larger life of the soldier, the opportunity for distinction."

"Peyton Farquhar was a well to do planter, of an old and highly respected Alabama family."

Answer 1

The two lines from the passage that support the theme "War tests character on and off the battlefield" are:

1. "No service was too humble for him to perform in the 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. . ."

2. ". . .he chafed under the inglorious restraint, longing for the release of his energies, the larger life of the soldier, the opportunity for distinction."

These lines illustrate how Peyton Farquhar's character is tested by his desire to contribute to the war effort and his aspirations for a greater role, reflecting his willingness to take risks and prove himself, even while remaining a civilian.