Bierce uses evocative imagery to bring readers into Farquhar’s experience, especially in the first section, when Farquhar is about to be hanged. As he is standing on the edge with the soldiers around him, Bierce repeatedly writes about the nature surrounding Farquhar with vivid imagery. For example:
[Farquhar] 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.
This section includes multiple examples of evocative imagery, such as the description of the water as “swirling” and “racing madly beneath his feet,” and the driftwood as “dancing.” Together, these images create a clear picture of the water beneath the bridge, placing readers into Farquhar’s perspective as he stares downward while facing imminent death. Soon following, Bierce writes that:
The water, touched to gold by the early sun, the brooding mists under the banks at some distance down the stream, the fort, the soldiers, the piece of drift — all had distracted him.
The beauty of nature around him momentarily distracts Farquhar from his fear, capturing his attention and drawing readers to this emphasis on nature and the surrounding environment. The description of the sunlight and mist contrasts with the presence of the fort and the soldiers, setting the scene with the juxtaposition between the beauty of nature and the threat of violence and death that continues throughout the story. Here, imagery is used to tap into Farquhar’s senses and convey conflicting emotions while also immersing readers in the narrative.
