An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

point of view (POV)

it gives the perspective from which a literary work is told

After Farquhar appears to have escaped from the gunfire while in the river, he

lands on a bank and runs through the woods

third person omniscient point of view

the narrator is an all-knowing observer who can relate what every character thinks and feels

third person limited point of view

the narrator relates some thoughts and feelings of only one character - but that character is not actually telling the story

An instance describing the author's use of the omniscient point of view would be when

the narrator reports that the gray-clad horseman was a Federal scout.

What years were the Civil War fought?

1861-1865

When and where is this story set?

Alabama, during the Civil War

What actually happens in the story?

Farquhar dies by hanging.

How does Peyton end up at the bridge?

He is tricked by disguised Union soldiers.

Early in the story, what interrupts Farquhar's thoughts about his wife and children?

The ticking of his watch

How much time passes in the story?

a few minutes

After the board is kicked out from under him, Farquhar experiences

an intense sharpening of his senses

Bierce plays with time in what ways?

flashback, starts the story only minutes before it ends, and tells about events that happen only in Farquhar's mind

Bierce uses the omniscient point of view to

give readers the widest possible vantage point

While Farquhar is under water, he thinks he's going to die but...?

his hands seem to work independently of his will and free themselves

In part, this story illustrates

our deep attachment to life

first person point of view

the narrator (the voice that is telling the story) is a character who is part of the action and uses the first-person pronouns I, me, and my. The reader sees everything through this character's eyes.

second person point of view

the second-person point of view to is used when the narrator is addressing the reader and using pronouns like you, your, yours; examples: messages, emails, presentations, business and technical writing

When Farquhar hears his watch ticking with an exaggerated intensity, Bierce is using the point of view known as

third person limited

Peyton Farquhar is a ___________

thirty-five-year-old planter