Who Is Peyton Farquhar In An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

Peyton Farquhar, the character of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” is a wealthy Southern slave owner of about thirty-five years of age. He is about to be hung for an attempt to destroy the Owl Creek railroad bridge. While he’s entitled life has prevented him from becoming a Confederate soldier, it is however stated that there was "no service too humble for him to perform in aid of the South, no adventure too perilous for him to undertake." And since he dies at the end, this statement shows Peyton as bit arrogant, determined and optimistic young fool.
Peyton is a seemingly arrogant or just overly confident young man who has been lucky in life and due to his circumstances did not have to join the army. In his naïve arrogance, he seems to

It might be all for self-preservation, to maintain his lifestyle. It was his determination to achieve distinction that got him to this situation in a first place. Thru out the whole story, you will see the determination come through, he will not want to die, he wants to go home. He is determined to escape.
His optimism could at times be interpreted as delusions. Starting with Peyton believing himself to be able to burn down the bridge and not get caught. He is optimistic yet delusional in his own abilities. As a Southern gentleman, he is probably not the best man for the job, that turns out to be true in the end. His optimism continues thru out the story and his escape where his delusions allow him to outwit his captors and make it back home to his family. It is his optimism and determination that get him back home, even if it is all in his head.
Peyton Farquhar is certainly all of the above, arrogant, determined and optimistic. We see things as we want to see them. We find in any story what we want to find. It is all in the eye of the beholder. And if I see him as an arrogant fool, who is determined to fight for what he believes in and delusionally optimistic for his future, so be it. We all are entitled to our