Peyton Farquhar was a plantation owner, slave owner, and highly respected Southern gentleman. He loved the South with a burning passion, and because of his love for the Confederacy, he tried to join the Army, but was rejected. Farquhar still didn't give up. He was so determined, so driven for the South and its cause. Although Farquhar wanted to serve the South, his hard determination turned into an unrealistic dream. He was characterized by excessive self-confidence which ultimately led to his death. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Farquhar's devotion to the South was characterized by his risk-taking nature. This was originally caused by his refusal to become a soldier for the South. Farquhar would do absolutely anything to help the South during the war. This is demonstrated when he tried to burn the railroad bridge the Yankees were working on. He knew that if he were caught the result would be death, but he did it anyway. The “dream” is seen every time Farquhar thought he could do anything for the South if he tried. In the end he was wrong. Farquhar was sitting on a bench with his wife on their plantation when a soldier approached. He asked for some water and while Mrs Farquhar got some water, the two men talked. The soldier told Farquhar that his army was repairing the railways and preparing for another advance to the Owl Creek Bridge. As he asked questions about the location of the picket and sentry, Farquhar was, in his mind, putting together a plan to aid the Confederate Army. Here his passion for helping the South is demonstrated. They continued to talk and the soldier told Farquhar that if one got past the picket line and the sentry, he could set fire to the bridge with the dry driftwood that had settled under the bridge during a the flood of the previous winter. At this point, Farquhar's plan was explained to him. He was determined to help the South in any way he could; therefore, he took this opportunity even if it meant death. He didn't even know if his plan would succeed, but because he thought he was of great help to the Confederate Army, he strove to accomplish what he thought he could accomplish. Farquhar's unrealistic dreams are also seen when he is about to be suspended. Because he felt so passionately about the South and was willing to die for it, he imagined doing what was realistically unlikely: escaping the noose to further contribute to the Confederate victory in the war. Farquhar was hanged, and as he died he slowly imagined the rope breaking and he himself falling into the stream. He begins to drown and then, after his senses return, he swims to the surface, gasping for air, as he finds himself being shot at by Yankee soldiers on the bridge. He tries to swim down the stream to escape the gunfire and succeeds. Farquhar then imagined returning home to his wife, just as he finally fainted and his dream was no more. Farquhar's apparent reality was too far-fetched, and instead of facing the truth that he was unable to survive to help the South, he died for his actions. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Farquhar believed wholeheartedly that he was, though not physically, a Confederate soldier when, in fact, he was not one at all. His devotion led him to take risks. His risk taking was excessive and as a result he died.