Predictability of Surprise

Introduction

Keeping the reader interested in a literary work has been the main focus of all authors who have written a novel. Several things may contribute to weather a reader is interested and absorbed in a novel. Although many other techniques are used, the elements of predictability and surprise are frequently used to effectively sustain a reader's interest. The effectiveness of using both predictability and surprise in a literary work can be easily seen in The Death of Ivan Ilyich, by Leo Tolstoy, and The Makioka Sisters, by Junichiro Tanizaki.

The element of surprise

The element of predictability is not as valued by amateur writers, but is equally important in sustaining the reader's interest. The element of surprise is nothing without the reader's confidence in his or her own predictions to a story's outcome. This confidence in the reader can only be achieved through its progress over time by predictability throughout the novel. Leo Tolstoy foreshadows the style and quality of Ivan Ilyich's life by first showing the reader Ilyich's funeral.

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He allows the reader to find out that Ivan was not cared for by the people around him, yet he was also revered and respected by those who were associated with him. This leaves the reader to conclude that Ilyich was obsessed with business and had not developed a truly loving relationship with anyone, including his wife. Tolstoy then uses the reader's assumptions about Ivan Ilyich to create a seemingly predictable storyline about his life and death.

Tolstoy can then take advantage of the reader's confidence in his or her own to fully utilize the effects of surprise.

Junichiro Tanizaki sets up the surprises in The Makioka Sisters with the actualization for predictable outcomes. Tanizaki also provides hints and/or clues to help the reader anticipate the outcomes. Taeko's final split from Okubata is foreshadowed by the delay of their marriage as well as by Taeko's own words to Sachiko about her feelings toward Kei-Boy. This will have the reader foretell that Taeko will never get married to Okubata ever since he changed throughout the novel. Tanizaki also uses predictability when the cherry blossoms bloom every year. When they do bloom than the Makioka sisters will usually come together for an important event in the novel. Both Tolstoy and Tanizaki have utilized predictability suitably in these ways.

The component of surprise is viewed by many authors as the easiest way to briefly obtain and sustain a reader's full interest. Leo Tolstoy utilizes the element of surprise numerous times in his novel, The Death of Ivan Ilyich. Near the beginning of his novel, the reader follows a few of Ivan Ilyich's old friends through his funeral. Immediately the reader is dismayed by the emotions of the attending friends; they are not inwardly moved at all by the death of one of their dearest friends. The reader is also surprised later in the book when Ivan Ilyich unexpectedly loses his job. The element of surprise is effective in this situation because Ilyich's loss of his job make the reader wonder whether Ivan will ever be successful again.

The Makioka Sisters

In The Makioka Sisters, Junichiro surprises the reader on multiple occasions with unforeseen troubles or issues. When the reader is surprised by something completely unexpected like the daring and heroic actions of Itakura during the devastating flood in Osaka, they are immediately intrigued and become curious as to whether everything will work out safely or not. Junichiro uses this simple element of surprise several times throughout his novel, including both the death of Itakura and the discovery of Taeko's pregnancy by Sachiko. The reader must then read on to find out the outcome of the situation. Surprising the reader is a very effective way to obtain the reader's interest.

The Death of Ivan Ilyich and The Makioka Sisters are an influence to all other writers because they include the best examples of surprise and predictability. Junichiro Tanizaki and Leo Tolstoy were very distinguished writers who portrayed the correct use of surprise and predictability countless times throughout their many novels. Predictability and Surprise, if used correctly in a novel, could not only maintain the reader's interest but it will also bring the author a great deal of money through the number one seller in the New York Post.