Children's Story Analysis

The opening section of the story is told by a writer awakened by a frightening sound in the night. What two causes for the sound does she consider? Ultimately, which is the more significant cause for fear? How do these together create an emotional background for the “children’s story” she tells?
In the opening section of the story, the writer considers the sound that awakened her to be a brigand in the night or men working in the undermined ground that her house was built on. The fear of it being a brigand sets the emotional background for the “children’s story” which tells of burglaries constantly occurring.

What stylistic devices create the atmosphere of children’s stories? How is this atmosphere related to the story’s theme?
The stylistic devices that create the atmosphere of children’s stories are syntax and allegory. Syntax creates an element of suspense and mystery, like one might read in a children's fantasy story. Some examples are "A voice in the echo chamber of the subconscious?", "A sound.", "I listened," and, "Again: the creaking." Allegory is any writing in a piece of literature that can be interpreted beyond its literal meaning.
What motives can you infer for these people? What ironies do they display in their actions?
Throughout the “children’s story” the family lives entirely in fear. While trying to avoid danger, ironically they create more danger for their child. Although they thought they were doing what was best to keep from being hurt by the people outside of the suburbs it was what they least expected that hurt