In
the story “An occurrence at owl Creek Bridge” Ambrose Bierce was one of my
favorite stories from this selection. The story uses the third person
narrator. Peyton Farquhar is the protagonist, very shadowy figure and he
becomes a two sided character. The beginning of the story is very
descriptive explaining the place and situation he was in. “the man’s hands were
behind his back, the wrist bound with a cord. A rope closely encircled his
neck”. (83) In this quote we can see tension and description of how they
have tied him. This story also focus on the emotion which is happening to
the character in his last moments. The author also puts his focus on Farquhar’s
dying thoughts how he wants to escape and have his freedom and return to his
loving family. When he closes his eyes he thinks of the perfect getaway
how he can brake lose form the ropes and by diving he can evade the
bullets.
"An occurrence at owl Creek Bridge" uses the third person point of view towards the end of the first part of the story the narrator shifts to omniscient point of view. "If i could free my hands,.. i might throw off the noose and spring into stream. by diving i could evade the bullets and, swimming vigorously reach the bank, take to the woods and get away home .my home thank God... my wife and little ones are still beyond the invader's farthest advance".(84). This tells us that Bierce takes us inside Peyton Farquhar's thoughts of his emotional feelings and how he wants to escape death and return to his family. this gives the reader a diffrent interpretation of reality and the way we become aware of how the time passes. when Farquhar is dropped from the bridge one second becomes hours. " He springs forward with extended arms. as he is about to clap her he feels a stunning blow upon the back of the neck; a blinding white light blazes all about him with a sound like the shock of cannon then all darkness and silence. (88) This quote shifts us back to reality . His last few seconds was seen before the rope killed him. If this story was written in the first person perspective the narrator could of not entered Farqhuar's mind, the suspense and the place of the story would of got lost within the story
"An occurrence at owl Creek Bridge" uses the third person point of view towards the end of the first part of the story the narrator shifts to omniscient point of view. "If i could free my hands,.. i might throw off the noose and spring into stream. by diving i could evade the bullets and, swimming vigorously reach the bank, take to the woods and get away home .my home thank God... my wife and little ones are still beyond the invader's farthest advance".(84). This tells us that Bierce takes us inside Peyton Farquhar's thoughts of his emotional feelings and how he wants to escape death and return to his family. this gives the reader a diffrent interpretation of reality and the way we become aware of how the time passes. when Farquhar is dropped from the bridge one second becomes hours. " He springs forward with extended arms. as he is about to clap her he feels a stunning blow upon the back of the neck; a blinding white light blazes all about him with a sound like the shock of cannon then all darkness and silence. (88) This quote shifts us back to reality . His last few seconds was seen before the rope killed him. If this story was written in the first person perspective the narrator could of not entered Farqhuar's mind, the suspense and the place of the story would of got lost within the story
Diane,
ReplyDeleteYou provide a very good response to the story, but you should further consider Bierce's use of point of view. Be more specific about the type of third person point of view in the narrative. The big question to answer is whether the point of view remains consistent throughout the story or does it shift? You should also address how the point of view is used to mislead the reader.
I agree with you Diane I defienlty agree how the the author uses Peyton's death and the way he explains the story to kind of convey to the reader how time passes and I think you did a good job in your response.
ReplyDeleteDiane I agree with the fact that the narrator shifts to omniscient POV, because he does start out talking in the dramatic POV where all we know is what is said and done. However, he switches and we get to know what Peyton is thinking which is not possible in the dramatic POV. You made good points, well done!
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