Sayla decided the best route would be to take the long trail through the canyon and then into the forest with the caverns. From there she could meet up with the rest of the troop at the shuttle, which nestled in a cave entrance hidden from obvious view. Once everyone made it back safely, they could fly the shuttle to the cloaked spaceship. Sayla squashed a seed of worry taking root in the back of her mind that she was the only one who had gotten lost on this new planet the troop had discovered. If that was the case, and she didn’t make it to the shuttle before the time allotment ran out, she could find herself alone. She adjusted her pack and the tint on her glasses. This sun shone brighter than the one on her own planet. The troop knew this ahead of time and prepared with skin-protecting salves and shield glasses. She started on the trail, keeping a sharp eye on the cliffs with steep faces and yawning crevices, an easy place for someone or something to hide. After an hour of hiking the twisting trail, Sayla had to steady her breathing and wipe the beads of sweat dotting her forehead. She wanted to stop and rest, but the fear of time racing and her team leaving spurred each step forward. The trail jagged hard to the left and out of sight, and Sayla felt tension bubble up from her chest. The landscape went from sparse trees to thick forest within 200 steps, so anything could be in that outcropping of trees. Sayla picked her way over the dirt and stones and met the edge of the forest with her heart beating a fast rhythm from her chest to her head. A crackling sound reverberated from up ahead, and Sayla froze, steeled herself, and stepped into the woods because the only way to her shuttle was through this forest and toward the fizzing sound that filled her ears with fuzz and her body with dread.

Question

How would the mood of this scene change if this passage were written from a first-person point of view?

A. The point of view change would create an accusatory feeling because of the main character addressing the reader directly.
B. The point of view change would create a more intimate and intense feeling because of the closeness of the narration.
C. The point of view change would create a distant feeling with the introduction of other characters and what they are thinking.
D. The point of view change would create a jarring feeling because it would shift from the main point of view in third person to another’s.

Answer 1

B. The point of view change would create a more intimate and intense feeling because of the closeness of the narration.

By shifting to a first-person point of view, Sayla's internal thoughts, feelings, and experiences would be presented more directly, allowing readers to connect with her anxiety, determination, and sensory perceptions on a deeper level. This perspective would heighten the emotional intensity of the scene, making readers feel as though they are experiencing Sayla's journey right alongside her.