Setting: Discussion Questions for An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge
and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty



1. What is the setting for the Occurence story? Time of day , location, state, era, etc...

2. In section III of the story, Farquhar's senses intensify. Describe some of the things he sees, hears, feels.

3. When he reaches the bank, he describes the samd, trees etc... saying "he did not know he lived in so wild a region" . Some people say this is a symbolic setting -- what do the details, "strange roseate light" and "the wind... made the sound of aeolian harps" suggest in terms of a religious setting?

4. He imagines he is escaping from his hanging during the story, but what do we realize has actually been taking place during the story?

5. In what way might the bridge be a symbol of the bridge between life and death?

Secret Life of Walter Mitty

6. This story revolves around real vs. imagined settings. Define each setting in the story:

a. real setting: driving in the car a. imagined setting: navy boat/plane

7. What is Mitty's wife's personality like?

8. What is Mitty's personality?

9. What "purpose" do Mitty's fantasies play for him?

10. What does he mean at the end, "To hell with the handkerchief" ? What is he imagining?
How does this final scene underscore his conflict and personality?