Question

refer to explorations in literature for a complete version of this story. how does chekhov’s use of the third - person limited point of view in \the bet\ affect the story? he is able to enter the thoughts and feelings of the lawyer upon entering the cell. it allows him to share with readers the banker’s reasons for wanting to kill the lawyer. he is able to show what is done and said on the night when the lawyer and the banker first make their bet. it allows him to show what the lawyer does during his years of confinement.

Explanation:

In "The Bet", Chekhov's third - person limited point of view focuses on the banker's perspective for most of the story, but when it comes to the lawyer's years of confinement, the third - person limited (with a focus on what the lawyer does during his confinement) is used. The option "It allows him to show what the lawyer does during his years of confinement" is correct because the third - person limited point of view in this story enables the author to reveal the lawyer's actions and experiences during his solitary confinement, while still having a main focus on the banker's thoughts and actions in other parts. The first option is incorrect as the third - person limited doesn't give access to the lawyer's thoughts at the start of entering the cell (it's more from the banker's view). The second option is incorrect as the banker's reasons for wanting to kill the lawyer are shown through his own thoughts, not related to sharing with readers in the context of the point of view's effect on showing the lawyer's confinement. The third option is incorrect as the bet - making scene is from the banker's (or an omniscient - like but limited) view of the interaction, not about showing what was done and said at night during the bet - making.

Answer:

It allows him to show what the lawyer does during his years of confinement.