The short work, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,"" by Ambrose Bierce, showcases a fine example of a crux in the first of the story's three parts. The crux is highlighted in the following quote: "As these thoughts, which have to be set down in words, were flashed into the doomed man's brain rather than evolved from it the captain nodded to the sergeant." " Bierce's use of contrast of reality, foreshadowing, and definition of a fantastical point of view all come together in this quote with the connection to the mindset belonging to Peyton Farquhar which sufficiently serve as the crux in this Civil War tale. .
Since the second part of the story features mainly exposition, the reader is forced to piece together information on the setting and characters during the first of the story's three parts. Prior to the exact moment of the crux the main character, Peyton Farquhar, reveals a possible escape plan that is filled with unrealistic expectations that couldn't possibly come true. However, it is not until the proposed crux that you see the hypothetical nature brewing inside his head. Farquhar's mind is consumed by the possibility of an escape. Bierce's word choice of "flashed into the brain " and "evolved " show that these fantasy driven ideas are beginning to connect in Farquhar's mind. These hypotheticals will render him ignorant to reality. Instead of thinking about the impending hanging, he concentrates on freeing his hands and throwing away his noose during his fantastical escape. Bierce hints to Farquhar's use fantasy with the subtle contrast of prose during Farquhar's moments of fantasy by using the words "appeared"" and "seemed"" instead of what actually was, in the early section part I. The crux though, is the first incident the reader can see the affinity for hypothetical situations and separation of reality that our main character possesses. His thoughts are far from the reality where he belongs.
