Suspense - Free Essay Examples and Topic Ideas

Introduction Imagine how uneventful a book would be without some type of suspense or surprise. How is it possible for authors to ensure they create such responses from their audience? The British fiction writer Hector Hugh Munro, also known by his pen name "Saki", was known for featuring surprise endings in his narratives. Authors tend to use structural elements of suspense and literary devices together to create an effective surprise ending. Saki utilizes suspense, textual structure, and pacing to develop…

Read this quote by author Cassandra Clare.“Yes, she's bleeding to death upstairs, but I thought I'd avoid telling you right away, because I like to draw the suspense out.” (Cassandra Clare, City of Fallen Angels). How does that sentence make you feel? Tense? Suspicious? On edge? It’s supposed to do that. Authors use sentences like these to build suspense. Suspense is the tension that a reader feels while reading a story, and the reason that it’s so hard to put…

In the novella "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" Robert Louise Stevenson uses many techniques to create a sense of mystery, horror and suspense. In this essay I will be analyzing some of these techniques in further depth. I will be explaining what effect these techniques will have on the reader. "The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" was published in 1886 and is probably the best known of Stevenson's novels. It concerns the fine…

The stories I am going to write about are as follows: The Red Room by H.G.Wells, The Signalman by Charles Dickens and The Phantom Coach by Emelia B.Edwards. These stories all contain elements of the gothic genre and were written in the Victorian period. The Red Room, which was written in 1895, is about a man, who is unnamed, is adamant that the supernatural does not exist. However, has an encounter in The Red Room with "fear" itself but, does…

Introduction 'This subtle introduction of danger is immediately built upon when Grandma Hanlon wails to the ladies "Won't catch me out on no night like this," "Not with the Lonely One strangling women. Lock myself in with my gun! " This is the first reference to the 'Lonely One', and that there is something sinister and dangerous about the night. The theme of the vulnerability of the women, and in particular Lavinia, is developed throughout the story and is emphasised…

William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' remains an enduring masterpiece, celebrated for its portrayal of "star-crossed lovers" entwined in the complexities of an "ancient grudge" between their families. This essay delves into the nuanced ways in which Shakespeare strategically weaves suspense, tension, and dramatic interest throughout Act 1. Additionally, we will explore the critical role of understanding the social, historical, and cultural contexts of the time, enhancing our appreciation of this iconic play. The Prologue: A Prelude of Intrigue Prior to…

Jaws was a film, which from its first release reeled in and captivated the imagination of audiences worldwide on its release in 1975. Nothing quite like it had been seen on the cinema. It remains one of Steven Spielberg's greatest films to date and also one of the classics of the silver screen. It was a box office smash and wad deservedly nominated for many awards and arguably assured Steven speilberg as one of the elite directors to the modern…

In this extract Stevenson uses many devices to create suspense. This extract is told in 3rd person, but from the narrative of Utterson. Stevenson has used this technique to heighten suspense as this creates distance between the reader and the character. The reader is left in the dark and finds things out gradually as Utterson does. This allows the reader to see more clearly into Utterson's character and his opinion on Hyde. Stevenson uses these descriptions to appeal to the…

This book, a great of its sort, concerns the fierce killings of the pregnant 26-year old Colette and the two kids Kristen and Kristy she imparted to her charming spouse, the youthful Green Beret specialist Jeffrey MacDonald. The homicide occurred 45 years back in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in the MacDonald's military level. The book was first distributed in 1980, with a few updates since; it takes the peruser meticulously through the order of their lives, and Dr MacDonald's record…

Mary Shelley masterfully employs a range of literary techniques to evoke gothic horror and suspense in her novel, "Frankenstein." This essay explores how Shelley uses isolation as a central theme, her carefully chosen vocabulary, and ethical concerns to craft a tale that captivates and terrifies readers. Through a close examination of Chapters four and five, we will delve into the intricacies of Shelley's narrative, highlighting the elements that contribute to the development of horror and suspense. Isolation as a Literary…

Introduction Alfred Hitchcock, a true legend in the world of cinema, earned his title as the "Master of Suspense" through timeless classics, with "Psycho" being the pinnacle of his mastery. This essay takes a deep dive into Hitchcock's unmatched ability to weave suspense into storytelling, exploring the techniques that have made "Psycho" a cinematic masterpiece. Building Genre Expectations Hitchcock's brilliance unfolds from the film's beginning, where he skillfully defies genre norms, guiding viewers through an emotional rollercoaster. Opening with scenes…

Alfred Hitchcock's film North by Northwest reflects an extraordinary use of setting combined with brilliant camera angles and techniques to evoke emotion and to create suspense. The film's exciting and suspenseful tone is established very quickly once Thornhill is shockingly kidnapped by two thugs while socializing with friends in a safe and public environment, the Plaza Hotel. Also the film displays scenes in which the viewer is placed in the point of view of the characters. Therefore immediate suspense and…

Introduction H.G. Wells, a master of the science fiction and gothic genres, skillfully constructs tension and suspense in his short story 'The Red Room.' Through a combination of language, setting, dialogue, sentence structure, and the strategic withholding of information, Wells captivates readers and keeps them on the edge of their seats. This essay will delve into the various techniques employed by Wells to build tension and suspense throughout the narrative, creating a sense of unease and anticipation in the reader.…

Exploring the multifaceted dimensions of tension and suspense within literary works unveils a captivating realm of narrative craftsmanship. W.W. Jacobs, in his timeless classic 'The Monkey's Paw,' employs a myriad of techniques to intricately weave a tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. This analysis will delve into the nuanced elements contributing to the suspenseful atmosphere, including language choices, dialogue, narrative perspective, character descriptions, sentence structures, and plot development.Setting the Stage with Language ChoicesThe power of language…

Drama and thriller, among the most crucial things an author requires in their story to keep their audience entertained. Without these two aspects in a story or movie, the audience would quickly get bored. In order to build drama and thriller specific literary gadgets are needed. In the narrative, "Lamb to Massacre", the author Roald Dahl develops this remarkable story by utilizing images, paradox, and strong character interaction, therefore producing thriller and a little humor. Among the literary gadgets that…

Go over the methods that Scorsese uses in order to create and preserve suspense and mystery throughout. During the movie 'Shutter Island' there is a huge selection of different methods utilized by Martin Scorsese to provide the movie a much deeper meaning. Numerous have been presented to keep the audience on the edge of their seat. Lighting strategies and noise were utilized throughout the motion picture to provide it an atmosphere that would create confusion. The storyline is very manipulative…