Social Classes

Read “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” and answer the questions below.

1. Many critics see this story as an early precursor of what would become surrealism. What elements of the story seem surreal to you?

2. Does the story “feel” like a relatively recent one or a relatively old one? Why?

3. What is Peyton Farquhar’s specific crime? Does it merit hanging?

4. Do you discern any clues that much of the story takes place entirely in Farquhar’s mind? If so, what are they?

5. Bierce is also famous or infamous for “The Devil’s Dictionary.” Peruse this document, paying special attention to the definitions of optimism and optimist, patriotism and patriot. What clues do you see as to why Bierce earned the nickname “Bitter Bierce.”

6. Why is there a question mark after Bierce’s date of death in the biographical note that precedes the story?

Read “The Real Thing,” and answer the questions below.

1. James’s work frequently discusses social classes. What is the role of class in “The Real Thing”?

2. In what ways is the name Major Monarch symbolic?

3. Why do you think James makes his narrator a painter? How does this choice advance the story?

4. The narrator confides of the Monarchs, “I liked them.” Why is this information important?

5. Regarding the Major, the narrator remarks, “[N]othing I could do would keep him down, so that he became useful only for representations of brawny giants.” Why?

6. Why do you think the narrator ends up dismissing the Monarchs. Why won’t “the real thing” do for his work?