Question

Read the excerpt from "The Story of an Hour."

It was her sister Josephine who told her, in broken sentences; veiled hints that revealed in half concealing. Her husband's friend Richards was there, too, near her. It was he who had been in the newspaper office when intelligence of the railroad disaster was received, with Brently Mallard's name leading the list of "killed." He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram, and had hastened to forestall any less careful, less tender friend in bearing the sad message.

She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance.
Which best describes the narrative voice?



The author uses an omniscient narrator to reveal the thoughts and motivations of multiple characters in the story.

The author uses an omniscient narrator to reveal the details of the railroad accident taking place far away.

The author uses a character in the story as a narrator to establish the closeness between the sisters.

The author uses a character in the story as a narrator to establish Mrs. Mallard’s grief at the news of her husband’s death.

Answer 1

The narrative voice in 'The Story of an Hour' is that of an omniscient narrator who describes the actions and motivations of various characters without directly revealing Mrs. Mallard's inner thoughts or feelings.

Step-by-step explanation:

The narrative voice in the excerpt from "The Story of an Hour" best fits the description of an omniscient narrator. This type of narrator has full knowledge of the story's events and characters' thoughts and feelings. In the provided excerpt, the narrative voice reveals the actions and motivations of Josephine and Richards, as well as the context of the railroad disaster, without the personal involvement one would expect from a character within the story. It does not, however, reveal Mrs. Mallard's inner thoughts or feelings directly, indicating that an omniscient narrator is used to tell the story rather than a character narrator.

Answer 2

(A) The author uses an omniscient narrator to reveal the thoughts and motivations of multiple characters in the story

explanation: edge 2020