Final answer:
Mark Twain's use of the first-person point of view connects readers closely with the narrator's experiences, creating empathy and a deep understanding of the conflict within the story. Twain's personal narrative voice highlights his character development and provides profound insights into his experiences as a riverboat pilot.
"The correct option is approximately option A"
Step-by-step explanation:
Mark Twain's choice of a first-person narrator in the excerpt from Life on the Mississippi has a significant impact on how readers experience the story. By narrating the story from his own perspective, Twain invites the audience into the personal and subjective experience of the events as they unfold. The use of first-person point of view in storytelling allows readers to engage more intimately with the narrator's feelings, thoughts, and perceptions, thus creating a closer empathetic connection.
This narrative choice immerses readers in the tension and conflict of the situation; as Twain becomes increasingly uncertain under pressure from Mr. Bixby's actions. Additionally, Twain builds a rhetorical device through the character of Mr. Bixby, the trickster, enhancing the story's thematic elements such as the unpredictability of life and learning through experience. By expressing compassion for those who wronged him, including slaveholders, Twain likely seeks to evoke empathy and moral reflection within the reader.
The personal voice emphasizes the character growth and development of the narrator as a steersman, ultimately enriching the reader's understanding of the complexities of piloting a riverboat and of human nature in challenging situations. The combination of personal insight and the detailed relaying of events allows Twain to effectively communicate his experiences and the overarching purpose behind sharing this particular anecdote.