In the third section, the narration undergoes a subtle shift, taking on a more reflective and introspective tone. Descriptions become more nuanced, and there’s often an exploration of characters’ internal thoughts and emotions.
The narrative may delve deeper into the characters’ motivations, providing a richer understanding of their perspectives. It’s a narrative evolution that adds depth and complexity to the storytelling.
The narration in the third section of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” changes again in several ways:
It becomes more subjective
In the first two sections, the narrator maintains a relatively objective point of view, describing the events of the story in a detached and neutral way. However, in the third section, the narrator becomes more involved in the story, offering their own thoughts and interpretations of events. This is evident in the use of first-person pronouns such as “I” and “my,” as well as in the narrator’s direct address to the reader.
It becomes more philosophical
The third section of the story explores the nature of time and reality, and the narrator raises a number of philosophical questions. For example, the narrator asks whether the events of the story are real or simply a figment of Farquhar’s imagination. This exploration of philosophical themes gives the story a deeper and more complex meaning.
It becomes more lyrical
The language in the third section of the story is more poetic and evocative than in the previous sections. The narrator uses vivid imagery and sensory details to create a strong impression on the reader.
For example, the narrator describes Farquhar’s descent as “a sickening sensation like falling through a dream.” This lyrical language helps to create a sense of wonder and awe in the reader.
Overall, the narration in the third section of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is more subjective, philosophical, and lyrical than in the previous sections. This change in narration helps to create a more complex and meaningful story experience for the reader.
In addition to the above, the narration in the third section also changes in the following ways:
It becomes more stream-of-consciousness
The narrator’s thoughts and feelings are presented in a raw and unfiltered way, without any attempt to organize or structure them. This gives the reader a direct insight into Farquhar’s mind as he experiences the events of the story.
It becomes more fragmented
The third section is not told in a linear fashion. Instead, the narrator jumps back and forth in time, presenting different scenes and memories in a non-chronological order. This fragmentation reflects Farquhar’s own disjointed state of mind as he faces his impending death.
The overall effect of the changes in narration in the third section is to create a sense of urgency, suspense, and disorientation in the reader. The reader is placed in Farquhar’s shoes, experiencing his thoughts and feelings as he races against time to escape.
The fragmented and stream-of-consciousness narration also reflects Farquhar’s own disjointed state of mind as he confronts his own mortality.