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