In The Signalman, Dickens chooses the words carefully in order to achieve an explicit effect on the reader. Dickens does not tell the readers the main point directly instead he gave pieces of information and let them search for more clues therefore this creates suspense.
Charles Dickens uses language to create suspense. It is clear that the author uses the theme of supernatural and it is important in this spooky story. Furthermore, the author shows Signalman is affected by the ghost and the deadly things that happen afterwards. For example, the quote “Halloa! Below there!” and “you had no feeling that they were conveyed to you in any supernatural way?” shows the main idea of this story. The author creates an image of the Narrator standing on the top of the hill as if the ghost was beside him, asking him to say the same words. The word ‘supernatural’ suggests that the Signalman thinks the Narrator is a ghost or related to the spectre.
Dickens uses language to describe these two characters that behaved in a weird way, as if something is hidden from the reader. The phrase “...in an attitude as if he was waiting for me to appear... His attitude was one of such expectation and watchfulness that I stopped a moment... ” The use of ‘Watchfulness’ suggest that it is something unusual or suspicious. The Signalman thought that the Narrator is a ghost because Narrator said the exact words as the spectre.
Dickens also uses symbolism to create suspense by using different colours or object. This is shown in the phrase, “He pointed to the red light he had looked at.” The word “red” symbolises death, blood, fire and it also associates with danger. The Signalman said there was a ‘ghost’ saying “Halloa! Below there!” but as he went closer to that red light, that ‘ghost’ disappeared. It is clear that the story is located in a setting that is eerie, dark and depressing. The quote “...crooked prolongation of this great dungeon...