Why is Peyton Farquhar easily tricked by a Federal Scout? What is it about his character, his dreams, and his background, that makes him susceptible to trickery?

Answer and Explanation:

Peyton Farquhar is the main character in the short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge", by Ambrose Bierce. Farquhar, a supporter of the Confederacy, is tricked into trying to burn a bridge through which Union troops would cross.

The reason why Farquhar is so easily tricked lies in his own nature. He is a romantic, a man who believes in acts of heroism, in sacrificing himself for a person or a cause. He gets excited by the possibility of tampering with the bridge:

"Suppose a man - a civilian and a student of hanging - should elude the picket post and perhaps get the better of the sentinel," said Farquhar smiling, "what could he accomplish?"

Notice that he is smiling while he comes up with a plan to burn the bridge. He is already picturing himself doing it, at this moment not even taking into consideration that he is putting himself in danger. He is so excited by the idea of being the hero that he forgets he has a lot to lose, and that he has a wife who will certainly suffer if he gets caught and hanged. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happens. Farquhar gets to sacrifice himself for his cause, but without any success with his plan.

do you have a picture of the cartoon?

can you put the options and excert up