Read the quotation from "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." And now he became conscious of a new disturbance. Striking through the thought of his dear ones was a sound
which he could neither ignore nor understand, a sharp, distinct, metallic percussion like the stroke of a
blacksmith's hammer upon the anvil; it had the same ringing quality. He wondered what it was, and whether
immeasurably distant or near by-it seemed both. Its recurrence was regular, but as slow as the tolling of a
death knell. He awaited each stroke with impatience and-he knew not why-apprehension. The intervals of
silence grew progressively longer, the delays became maddening. With their greater infrequency the sounds
increased in strength and sharpness. They hurt his ear like the thrust of a knife; he feared he would shriek. What
he heard was the ticking of his watch.
Which best describes the effect of the narration in the excerpt?
O It suggests that the man being executed feels tranquil and at peace.
O It suggests that the narrator is sympathetic to the man being executed.
O It suggests that the plot will become less tense as the story continues.
It suggests that the story will become more intense and mysterious.