Question
In "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," Bierce switches from past tense to present tense in the next to the last paragraph of the story. What is the effect of this shift?
It creates a sudden sense of immediacy and tension.
It slows the story's pace before the surprise ending.
It helps the reader understand the passage of time.
It proves that Farquhar is actually alive.
It creates a sudden sense of immediacy and tension.
It slows the story's pace before the surprise ending.
It helps the reader understand the passage of time.
It proves that Farquhar is actually alive.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The effect of the shift from past tense to present tense in "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" creates a sudden sense of immediacy and tension. This change in tense draws the reader into the moment, making the events feel more urgent and alive as they unfold. It emphasizes the critical and desperate nature of Farquhar's experiences, heightening the emotional impact right before the story reaches its surprising conclusion.