"The captain stood with folded arms, silent, observing the work of his subordinates, but making no sign. Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him. In the code of military etiquette silence and fixity are forms of deference."
What is the meaning of the word manifestations as it is used in the previous sentence?
A) greetings
B) refusal
C) signs
D) vagueness

The correct answer is D) Respect

In An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, deference is used as a formal manifestation of respect as it is mentioned in the previous sentence, “received with formal manifestations of respect”. Furthermore, the word respect is used to say that justice in the form of an execution must reflect objectivity to be really considered justice. This is that if the state were to make these executions in the form of vengeance it would fail to the purpose of real justice. Executioners must follow an etiquette of silence and fixity as it is mentioned in the sentence.
Bierce, A. (1890). An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge