What was the author trying to say about the nature of romanticism versus reality in ""an occurrence at owl creek bridge""?

Answer and Explanation:

I believe the author, Ambrose Bierce, used the surprising ending of his short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" to indirectly criticize romanticism. Romanticism is characterized by idealization of people, especially women, as well a the supernatural interfering in people's lives - among other characteristics. At first, that seems to be the path Bierce has taken with this story. When the main character, Peyton Farquhar, is about to be hanged, the noose of the rope breaks, and he escapes. He begins to swim and later walk back home, so far indicating an ideal ending based on luck and chance.

However, a more attentive reader already begins to notice something strange about all this. Not only is Peyton having alarming symptoms all over his body, but going back home would not be a clever alternative. The soldiers could very well follow him home and kill him there. It turns out that Peyton has never escaped. The noose breaking, his returning home and meeting with his lovely wife, all of it was just a brief hallucination. He dies hanging from the bridge. There is no romantic ending to this story, but a more realistic - and crude - one.