An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Ambrose Bierce
A story can be structured in chronological order, beginning with the first event and proceeding to the last. A story can also be non-linear, or told out of order, with flashbacks and techniques such as stream-of-consciousness the disjointed thoughts of a character. Using non-linear narrative structure allows a writer to play with time, using a variety of paths to the story's resolution.
Point of view is another aspect of narrative structure. Some stories are told by a single narrator, while others are told by multiple narrators. When a story is told from a limited third-person point of view, readers know only what a single character thinks and observes. When a story is told from an omniscient third-person point of view, the narrator is able to tell readers what all the characters are thinking and feeling.
DIRECTIONS: Complete the following paragraph about the short story "An
Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by choosing the correct words) in parentheses.
*An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" begins in the middle of the story. At a crucial point in the story, the author introduces the beginning of the story, so the reader can understand the main character's situation. This pattern of organization is (linear/nonlinear) narrative. In the final part of the story, the writer uses (stream-of-consciousness/limited omniscience), which introduces doubt into the mind of the reader about the possible (resolution/narrative) of the story. In the last sentence of the story, the resolution is revealed, and the reader learns that Peyton Farquhar (escaped/died)
B. DIRECTIONS: Select a short passage from "The Occurrence at Owl Creek
Bridge." Tell whether the narrative point of view is limited third-person or omniscient third-person, and explain how you know. Then rewrite the passage from a different point of view.
In the short passage from "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," the narrative point of view is limited third-person. This is evident because the narrator provides insights into the thoughts and observations of only one character, Peyton Farquhar. For example, the narrator describes Farquhar's thoughts and emotions as he awaits his execution at the bridge.
Rewritten passage from an omniscient third-person point of view: As Peyton Farquhar stood on the bridge, he felt a mix of fear and desperation. The omniscient narrator could see into the minds of all the characters present, not just Farquhar, providing a broader perspective on the events unfolding.