Answer:
The ending of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” has drawn many reactions from critics. Some believe the ending is contrived and more appropriate for a thriller, suspense, or mystery tale than for a literary work. Others see the ending as Bierce’s attempt to transform the traditional conventions of narration. The story of Farquhar’s execution, like a traditional story, follows a logical order: from introduction to development to conclusion. Bierce’s “trick” is that the conclusion is not what it seems. Although the story does not end after the first section, Farquhar’s life does, extended for a few agonizing seconds as he swings from the end of the rope. By adding the third section, Bierce calls into question the essential nature of a story’s resolution. Endings, his story reveals, can often be unresolved or manipulated. They do not always have to be tidy, as they often are in more traditional prose.
Explanation: This answer is from sparknotes.com
Answer:
Critics have reacted strongly to the ending of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." Some think the finale is artificial and better suited to a thriller, suspense, or mystery story than a literary piece. Others perceive the finale as Bierce's attempt to challenge standard narrative norms. The narrative of Farquhar's execution, like any other, follows a logical order: introduction, development, and conclusion. The "trick" of Bierce is that the conclusion is not what it appears to be. Although the narrative does not end after the first portion, Farquhar's life does, as he swings from the end of the rope for a few torturous seconds. By including the third segment, Bierce questions the necessity of a story's ending. Endings, As this narrative demonstrates, issues are frequently left unsolved or managed. They don't have to be as neat as they are in more traditional text.
