Believing in Enchantment

            In a graphic and inescapable death, it is unsettling and ambiguous if Peyton Farquhar actually died. Initially, Bierce indicates “as Peyton Farquhar fell straight downward through the bridge he lost consciousness and was as one already dead.” (Bierce, III) Given the circumstances of Farquhar's bound wrists, the noose around his neck, and the 20ft fall into the river (Bierce, I) logically we presume that, yes, as the railway boards were released, Farquhar’s neck snapped and he died; however, Bierce’s recount of events following Farquhar’s “death” gives us hope.  A naïve and optimistic reader is relieved when they are told that Farquhar is “awakened.” (Bierce, III) Awakened, is used to indicate that Farquhar was revived from death, not physically, but metaphorically. Thinking of awakened in a religious or spiritual context, it is possible to draw a parallel between Farquhar’s experience and the idea of heaven, or rather the pathway to heaven. Bierce’s diction is mysterious and a little theatrical to give the tone of what the pathway to heaven “presumably” resembles. Succeeding Farquhar’s death he, “ had power only to feel- and that was torment. He was encompassed by a luminous cloud, of which he was now fiery heat, with out material substance.” (Bierce, III) Yes, the language and imagery is poetic, but the “luminous cloud” suggests an enchanted experience. No one can attest to what the transition stage is like between death and heaven, or affirm that it actually exists. It may not be the truth, or it may be, but Bierce tactically manipulates the reader to believe in the idea of hope regardless of the validity in Farquhar’s after death experience. The elimination of hope, even when truth dose not exist, is unsatisfying to the reader. Bierce consciously exposes that optimistic nature in his sentence, “Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him.” (Bierce) Death in isolation is daunting, so the imagination of the unknown and our desire to believe in fantasy, gives us content that Peyton received honor and righteousness upon his vicious execution.