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

Explanation:

The cannon's sound and presence act as a narrative device. First, it disrupts Farquhar's "escape" (dream) when he hears the deflected shot and the grapeshot. Then, the final cannon - like sound (the actual execution) brings him back to reality (death). It transitions him through different states (dream and reality) in the story.

Answer:

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