Question

read the excerpt from part 3 of \an occurrence at owl creek bridge\
his neck was in pain and lifting his hand to it found it horribly swollen. he knew that it had a circle of black where the rope had bruised it. his eyes felt congested; he could no longer close them. his tongue was swollen with thirst; he relieved its fever by thrusting it forward from between his teeth into the cold air. how softly the turf had carpeted the untraveled avenue - he could no longer feel the roadway beneath his feet!
based on the excerpt, which is the most reasonable plot prediction?
○ farquhar will find someone to help him.
○ farquhars quest to see his family will be successful.
○ farquhars escape is a fantasy or a dream.
○ farquhar will be pursued by the northern soldiers.

Explanation:

The text describes Farquhar’s physical sensations in a way that suggests an other - worldly or dream - like state. The mention of not feeling the roadway beneath his feet and the overall description of his physical symptoms (swollen neck, congested eyes, etc.) in a context where he is seemingly “escaping” but with these odd physical manifestations points towards a non - real (fantasy/dream) scenario. There is no indication in the text that someone will help him (no mention of others), no clear sign that his family quest will be successful (no reference to family in this excerpt), and no hint of Northern soldiers pursuing him (focus is on his physical state).

Answer:

Farquhar’s escape is a fantasy or a dream.