Line Illuminator 1:
“Suppose a man—a civilian and student of hanging—should
elude the picket post and perhaps get the better of the sentinel,” said
Fahrquhar, smiling, “what could he accomplish?”
The soldier reflected. “I was there a month ago,” he
replied. “I observed that the flood of last winter had lodged a great quantity
of driftwood against the wooden pier at this end of the bridge. It is now dry
and would burn like tow.” (Chapter 2)
Fahrquhar's plan was to infiltrate the enemy encampment on Owl Creek Bridge. This is not what happened, however. The story does not really explain what occurred between this conversation with the officer and Fahrquhar's hanging, but something must have gone wrong. Apparently he was trying to burn down the bridge entirely. The question is, why did his plan fail. Did an officer catch him before he could set the loose tinder alight,or perhaps Fahrquhar did not plan the espionage well enough and the old planks did not catch fire. Either way, he is now subject for execution.
What happened to the soldier who initially helped plan the attack anyway? He came by to ask for water, and left suggesting an attack on Owl Creek Bridge. In a way, it is his fault that Fahrquhar is being hung. Without his comments about Owl Creek Bridge, Fahrquhar would never have gotten the idea of acting as a civilian spy. Yet, this small conversation would drastically alter the course of Fahrquhar's life. The power of words is often forgotten or ignored in this day and age. Beware, dear reader, the conversations that you have could change history for the rest of time.
Daniel S. Ware
Well the reason that the soldier came to him and told him about the bridge and the wood was to set him up. It said later "An hour later, after nightfall, he repassed the plantation, going northward in the direction from which he had come. He was a Federal scout." He wasn't there to help Fahrquhar or to give him a plan of attack he was there to tell him about the bridge so he would get caught and hung. I doubt that there was a ton of wood there if any. He was just trying to set a trap for him or anyone else he told.
ReplyDeleteit is definitely interesting how he repassed the plantation again. It was almost like he was checking up on him.
DeleteI hadn't thought of him re-passing the plantation as checking on him, to see if he was responding to what he said. That's a really great idea.
DeleteI think it is interesting that he was 'dressed in gray' and completely believable to Fahrquhar yet he seemed to offer no help or backup for Fahrquhar. It is also interesting that the soldier in gray (but most likely a spy) told Fahrquhar about it specifically to him. I wonder if Fahrquhar was well enough known in the North to be a person of impulse and thoughtless 'courage.' It seems to me that he was targeted specifically because he had money and it would be a blow to the South to lose a person who was evidently a person of financial backing.
ReplyDeleteHe was a pretty easy target since it said he was eager to help with the war in what ever way he could. But I defiantly think they knew what they were doing when they picked him to tell about the bridge, they probably knew something about him and about his eagerness. They really just had to say something to someone, even if that person didn't take action they would probably spread the word about it till someone took the bait. So no matter who they picked they were bound to get a result from someone it just happened to be Fahrquhar.
DeleteEmilee - you are correct when you say the scout was a spy for the northern armies. Of course, Farquhar didn't know this. He bought into the disguise. For everyone - Does it make sense that Farquhar was targeted or is it possible that the scout just simply happened upon Farquhar's home & took the opportunity that presented itself?
DeleteI think it's pretty obvious he was targeted because of his political backing and because he was a higher figure in the south. But he also could have just happened to be in the path of the spy.
DeleteThese are all great points. It was really informing to hear all you wonderful ideas. I will looking into this because it seem like a great topic to research. Good job Daniel!
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Cliff said. I think that its very interesting how it says he was 'dressed in grey.' I thought on this a lot and I love hearing all of your ideas and opinions.
ReplyDelete