In "Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," the surprise ending of the story reveals that the main character's actual fate was death.
Step-by-step explanation:
In "Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," the main character, Peyton Farquhar, is portrayed as a Confederate sympathizer who is about to be executed by hanging for his actions. However, the surprise ending of the story reveals that Peyton's escape and subsequent journey back to his home were all imagined. In reality, Peyton's fate was death, and the entire escape sequence was a hallucination occurring in his mind during the few moments before his execution. This unexpected twist at the end of the story shocks the reader and presents the true fate of the main character. It emphasizes the harsh reality of war and the finality of death, leaving the reader with a haunting and thought-provoking ending.