Sign In
Not register? Register Now!
Pages:
2 pages/≈550 words
Sources:
1 Source
Style:
MLA
Subject:
Literature & Language
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 7.2
Topic:

ENG 236: Point of View in An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

Essay Instructions:

Short Paper 3: Considering Point of View
Length: No more than 2 pages double-spaced in Times New Roman, 12 plus a Works Cited page. Paper must adhere to MLA citation and style conventions.
Objectives: To identify the type of point of view used in a particular story. To consider the role of point of view in how the story is constructed. To illustrate the role of point of view through quoting and discussing specific language contained in the story.
Introduction: In this class, we’ve studied the various types of point of view and considered the ways in which they afford the writer various abilities. This paper will ask you to consider the ways in which point of view shapes our understanding of the story and how it may be constructed.
Task: Choose a story from the “Point of View and Voice” days on the course schedule. In your paper, first identify the type of point of view and briefly discuss the freedoms and limitations associated with that point of view. Then, create an argument (with a concise claim sentence) about how the point of view impacts the meaning of the story. In your discussion of this claim, make specific references to words, phrases, and sentences wherein the point of view plays an important role in how readers understand the story. You may want to consider some of the questions below in constructing your argument:
What does the point of view show the reader? What does it hide? Why?How close is the psychic distance in the story? Why did the author choose this distance?What does the point of view tend to emphasize? Why?
If the story were told in a different point of view, what would the effect be? Why, then, did the author choose the particular point of view that he/she did?Outside Sources: There is no need to consult any outside resources, and in fact, that is discouraged. I am most interested in your own thinking throughout this semester. That said, you will need to cite all quotes taken from the stories. The Purdue OWL is a great resource for citation and documentation strategies that adhere to MLA style. As always, any student found to plagiarize on this or any assignment will receive a grade of ZERO.

Essay Sample Content Preview:
Name:
Instructor:
Course:
Date:
Point of View in An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is a short story written by an American writer called Ambrose Bierce. It tells the story of Peyton Farquhar, a man from the South who is about to be executed for attempting to burn a bridge during the American Civil War. Each person would like to get a chance to do something right. In the short story, the author reveals the need to focus on one’s family since second chances rarely come by. This essay explores the point of view used in An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.
The point of view is the voice of a story. In An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, it allows the reader to comprehend the thoughts of a man who is about to be hanged. The first part of the story is narrated in 3rd person omniscient point of view. This point of view involves the narrator having all the knowledge of what is going on in characters’ heads as well as what is happening to them. It appears as if someone else is describing the setting of the bridge, and the reader knows what Farquhar is thinking while about to be hanged. The narrator is aware of everything that is going on and is just laying down the facts to the reader. There is a person on the bridge about to be hanged by some Union soldiers.
The point of view changes throughout An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. In the second part, it abruptly changes to third person limited. In this point of view, the narrator is just an observer who only finds out what is happening through what others are saying. It is apparent that the point of view changes in the story’s second part since there are much more descriptions and dialogue as opposed to speculations and thoughts. For instance, this part has Farquha...
Updated on
Get the Whole Paper!
Not exactly what you need?
Do you need a custom essay? Order right now:

You Might Also Like Other Topics Related to civil war:

HIRE A WRITER FROM $11.95 / PAGE
ORDER WITH 15% DISCOUNT!