LITERATURE CONNECTIONS

 "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" was unique for it's time period because of the use of flashback & flash forward sequences. This is a a technique we commonly see today in books & movies, but Bierce was one of the 1st to use this plot structure in American Literature.

"Lost," an American TV show that aired in the early 2000s, centered around a plane crash on a deserted island in which some of the passengers survived. Sawyer, one of the passengers, was often pictured reading books that survived the wreck. In one episode, we see Sawyer very clearly reading "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." Astute viewers recognized the inclusion of the book to be an "Easter Egg" - a clue the show creators were fond of hiding in each episode. The inclusion of Owl Creek Bridge added to the debate  - Did the passengers really survive or was the entire show a dream sequence or some sort of afterlife experience?

Some people enjoy this type of plot structure. Some do not, preferring not to be "tricked" by the writers of movies/TV shows or by authors. Do you enjoy this technique, or is it irritating? Has anyone read a book or watched a TV series or movie that has this plot structure? If so, did you enjoy the "trick?"

Comments

  1. Faith's Fantastical FanfareNovember 2, 2020 at 7:29 AM

    Sometimes I find this style of writing entertaining but most the time I like to known whether what I'm reading is really happening or a character's imagination. Therefore most of the time I don't enjoy being tricked because I like to know that I'm not being deceived.

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    Replies
    1. Ethan JNovember 4, 2020 at 5:42 PM

      I agree wholeheartedly. While it can be amusing to be beguiled by this writing style occasionally, normally it's just way too much work to try and think through this. If I'm watching a tv show or reading a book for pleasure odds are I'm going to want to be told what to think.

      Delete
  2. TrumpNovember 3, 2020 at 6:30 AM

    Most of the time I don't like when a movie does this but i care less when books or short stories such as this one do it. Depending on the structure of the story, I usually don't enjoy the "trick."

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    Replies
    1. HollyHockNovember 3, 2020 at 8:40 AM

      LOL - I love seeing a smiling President Trump on here :D

      Delete
  3. Isaac RassiNovember 3, 2020 at 1:25 PM

    I do like the technique in movies most of the times, because if makes you think, just like the movie inception, (which I haven't watch but heard about it).

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  4. Alma >:)November 4, 2020 at 8:41 AM

    I enjoy this type of writing because I love mysteries and problem solving stories, but I can understand why this style can be frustrating for others.

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  5. Abby DNovember 4, 2020 at 9:02 AM

    I think that if this technique is employed appropriately and in a way which adds to the story rather than detracting from it, it can be very enjoyable. However, it is very easy for the story to be over-complicated and confusing, so if it is not used with care and great attention to continuity and detail, the story loses appeal and comprehensibility.
    I find that this flash-back and forward technique is frequently used in media relating to amnesia or other forms of memory loss. The Jason Bourne trilogy of movies comes to mind as an example, especially the first movie.

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  6. Ethan or Hanna HamNovember 4, 2020 at 9:06 AM

    I like it when there are many clues that help you to figure it out on your own. Sherlock Holmes is fun to read because it's often surprising but you also know it's going to be that way. That's neat that they included the book in the Lost series. Sometimes we just don't notice things because we are in a hurry.

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  7. Daniel's Daring, Dastardly, DeedsNovember 4, 2020 at 9:53 AM

    This structure can be frustrating, but I find it to be an interesting mechanic to use. I usually to make sense of a story line and think through it logically, so illusions can be annoying. Although, I did enjoy the use of reality versus illusion in Spiderman: Far From Home. I do not like it if something leaves you wondering what is real, though. I appreciate an explanation in the conclusion of the story.

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  8. Brooke B.November 5, 2020 at 6:39 AM

    Yes I totally agree with Daniel. You can't leave someone hanging trying to figure out what is truly real.

    ReplyDelete

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