In paragraph 46, the point of view changes from third-person to first-person
narration. What is the purpose of this shift in point of view?

The sudden shift in the point of view is to make the reader experience the intensity of the situation which the narrator is trying to explain. Just for the sake of experience.

Explanation:

The Point of view is an aspect of story writing where the reader might experience the narration in different point of view. There are three perspectives, first person, second person and third person perspective.

hasty generalization