english essay woman in black tension nd unease

How does Susan Hill create tension and unease in the first 3 chapters of the novel,
The Woman In Black?

Tension and unease is used in novels to keep the reader guessing, and to give them fear and worry when reading. I am writing this essay to show how Susan Hill has created tension and unease in the first 3 chapters of her novel, 'The Woman in black'.

One example of Susan Hill creating unease is in the quotation, “...what figures I could make out, fumbling their way through the murk, were like ghost figures, their mouths and lower faces muffled in scarves and veils...”, which uses a simile and connotations. Ghosts are usually associated with negative feelings and fright, therefore these connotations could give the feeling of unease, making the reader concerned about the figures.

Another example of unease is shown in, “It was a yellow fog, a filthy, evil-smelling fog, a fog that choked and blinded, smeared and stained”. This quote has powerful adjectives and verbs. They give connotations of horrible things, creating unease. The reader will have a unpleasant impression of the unusual weather.

The quote, “ I was growing old well before my time, a sombre, pale-complexioned man with a strained expression – a dull dog.” gives a sense of unease. Adjectives and a metaphor create this effect. The adjectives of old, sombre and pale complexioned, as well as the metaphor comparing Arthur to a dog, give the feeling of sadness because they are usually associated with something unwell and unneeded. This bad feeling about Arthur will create unease for the reader. The reader could also feel sympathy for Arthur, knowing that he is discontent and self- conscious.

A use of tension can be seen in the quote, “... prone to occasional nervous illnesses and conditions, as a result of the experiences I will come to relate.” The technique used is foreboding, because it is hinting that the reader will find out the reason for his bad health later in the story. This keeps the reader waiting and wondering, creating tension. The reader will be curious of Arthur's secrets and past life and why it has such an effect on him.

Lastly, an example of a tense atmosphere in Susan Hill's writing is in the quote, “I shuddered”, and this effect is created by using a short sentence. The unusual shortness of the sentence creates worry and suspense. Therefore, it is creating tension. The tension keeps the reader waiting, wanting to find out why Arthur shuddered.

To conclude, Susan Hill has created tension and unease in the first 3 chapters of The Woman In Black by using literary techniques such as similes, metaphors, adjectives and verbs as well as connotations, foreboding and negative language. The way she creates it is effective, keeping the reader curious with the desire to know what will happen next in the story. This makes the book addictive, and in my opinion, enjoyable to read.