An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is an examination of the line between life and death, and at times, how the latter can heighten and enhance the former. The bulk of the story takes place in the instant of Farquhar’s death a kind of waking dream in which he envisions a flight back to his home and family before deathe denial that occurs in Farquhar's mind as he is dying. As with most people, he has a fear of death that is so strong that it leads him to fantasize a highly unlikely escape scenarioth finally claims him.