Question

the cannon had taken a hand in the game. as he shook his head free from the commotion of the smitten water he heard the deflected shot humming through the air ahead, and in an instant it was cracking and smashing the branches in the forest beyond.

a whiz and rattle of grapeshot among the branches high above his head roused him from his dream. the baffled cannoneer had fired him a random farewell. he sprang to his feet, rushed up the sloping bank, and plunged into the forest.

as he is about to clasp her he feels a stunning blow upon the back of the neck; a blinding white light blazes all about him with a sound like the shock of a cannon—then all is darkness and silence!

what function does the motif of the cannon serve throughout the story?

the cannon continually pushes farquhar to continue his journey through his dream and back to reality
the cannon encourages farquhar to investigate whether his escape was a dream or reality
the cannon reminds farquhar that time is subjective and encourages him to move quickly in order to reach his home
the cannon represents farquhar’s romantic dream that he escaped his execution and will return home

Explanation:

• In the text, the cannon's actions (shot humming, grapeshot rattle, cannon - like shock) rouse Farquhar from his dream and move him (sprang to feet, rushed, plunged, and the final event leading to darkness/silence which is a return to reality - or end of the dream).
• Option B: The cannon doesn't encourage investigation about dream/reality, it drives the action between dream and reality.
• Option C: There's no mention of time being subjective or urgency to reach home from the cannon's motif.
• Option D: The cannon isn't representing the dream, it's a force that moves him through the dream and to reality.

Answer:

A. The cannon continually pushes Farquhar to continue his journey through his dream and back to reality