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.
The best explanation for why this incident would cause an increase in the pace of the plot is "due to the fast-moving water." The sudden breaking of the rope and the man falling into the stream creates a sense of urgency and action, as he is now swept away by the fast-moving water. This event introduces a new element of danger and increases the tension in the story, pushing the plot forward at a faster pace.
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.
The best explanation for why this incident would cause an increase in the pace of the plot is "due to the man's need to get away from the soldiers."
To arrive at this answer, let's analyze the passage and the situation. The man, who is being executed, suddenly finds himself falling into the water after the rope breaks. This unexpected turn of events creates a sense of urgency and tension as he now has to escape from the soldiers who were overseeing his execution. The man's need to get away from the soldiers intensifies the plot and increases its pace.
To reach this conclusion, it's important to carefully read and analyze the given passage and take note of the man's predicament and the subsequent actions he must take. The text clearly mentions that "The power of thought was restored; he knew that the rope had broken and he had fallen into the stream." This implies that the man is conscious and aware of his situation, which adds to the urgency of his escape. Therefore, the incident of the rope breaking and the man falling into the water would increase the pace of the plot rather than decrease it.