In this passage from "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," the rope breaks as a man is being hanged from a bridge, and he crashes into the water below as the armed soldiers overseeing his execution watch from above.
Then all at once, with terrible suddenness, the light about him shot upward with the noise of a loud splash; a frightful roaring was in his ears, and all was cold and dark. The power of thought was restored; he knew that the rope had broken and he had fallen into the stream.
-From "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce
What is the best explanation for why this incident would cause an increase in the pace of the plot?
due to the fast-moving water
due to the man's need to get away from the soldiers
due to the cold and darkness of the stream
The incident would cause a decrease in pace, not an increase.
1 answer
None of the options provided capture the best explanation for why this incident would cause an increase in the pace of the plot. The most accurate explanation is that the incident increases the pace of the plot because it introduces a sudden and unexpected twist. The reader is led to believe that the main character has escaped his execution and is about to swim to safety. However, it is revealed later in the story that this is all a hallucination and the character is actually still on the bridge, preparing to be hanged. This revelation creates tension and propels the plot forward as the reader is eager to find out what happens next.
1 answer