Many readers create a variety of possibilities with each story they read. The authors like to give readers facts, but not enough for them to draw a final conclusion. The readers can think of many different endings with the story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," with the abrupt ending the Ambrose Bierce gives. Even though it is not stated until the end that Peyton Farquhar dies, Bierce gives several clues that Peyton is imagining …showed first 75 words of 765 total…

…showed last 75 words of 765 total…he can execute his escape plan. What seems like meaningless clues in the story really turns out to be more, after reviewing the clues given; readers can draw a conclusion of Peyton's death. Many readers like to believe Peyton escapes his death sentence, but that is not the case. The readers get a good insight into Peyton's vivid imagination, with his made up escape plan. <Tab/><Tab/>