An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge

"An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge" takes place during the Civil War. Peyton, a Southern farmer, is about to be executed for attempting to destroy a bridge in order to stall the Northern troops. As the plank is kicked out from under him, he feels the noose tighten around he neck. Suddenly, the noose breaks and he is in the river, dodging bullets as he makes his escape. Just as he makes it back to his home and is about to embrace his wife, it is made clear that this escape has taken place only in Peyton's mind, in those brief seconds when the noose choked the life out of him. He swings from the bridge, dead.
I found this story is very naturalistic. It is a dark and depressing subject matter. Although naturalism often depicts stories of the lower class trying to survive, Peyton's imagined escape is indicative of the great effort one will put forth in order to survive. Also, naturalism puts forth that one's will is bound by environment, hereditary and chance. Peyton came from a respected family and was a Southern slave owner and politician. He longed to fight in the war but was prevented from doing so. It was (perhaps) by chance that the Federal scout arrived at Peyton's farm in the guise of a Confederate. It was these factors which led Peyton to attempt to burn the bridge.
I enjoyed this story, despite it's twisted ending (or maybe because of it). Being relatively new to motherhood, I could whole-heartedly empathize with Peyton's pain at the thought of never seeing his family again, as well as the extreme relief and exhileration he must have felt when the noose broke and he fought to make his escape. I wanted to see him make his way back to his family, despite the deed he had done to cause his execution. I believe this may be the only story I've read in which I found myself rooting for a Confederate.