Ambrose Bierce
Text Analysis
POINT OF VIEW
The narrator’s role in the story events and his range of knowledge about the characters reveals the story’s point of view to the reader. Types of point of view include:
• first-person: told by a character in the work whose knowledge is limited to his or her own
experiences
• third-person omniscient: told by a voice outside the story who reveals the thoughts and
feelings of all the characters
• third-person limited: told by a voice outside the story who focuses on one character’s
thoughts and feelings
Directions: The point of view shifts in “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” Reread
each of the passages indicated and determine its point of view. Then answer the
question that follows.
Lines
1–15
Point of View
16–32
57–70
161–172
278–279
Explain how the shifts in point of view affect the level of suspense.
Reading Skill
ANALYZE STRUCTURE
To analyze the structure of a literary work, examine the relationship between its
parts and content.
Directions: After you read each section, summarize the events that occur and note
when they take place. Record your notes in the chart.
What Happens
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
When