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Engaging the reader in The Red Room & The Signalman

Uploaded by jamiep_6 on Jan 15, 2009

“How do HG Wells and Charles Dickens intrigue and engage the reader in ‘The Red
Room’ and ‘The Signalman’?”

‘The Red Room’ by Wells and ‘The Signalman’ by Dickens are two examples of classic
Gothic literature. They use alike and quintessential techniques to build mystery and
heighten tension of the immediate questions posed in the opening pages, to engage and
intrigue the reader. They start by setting immediate isolated, vague and enigmatic
atmospheres which entice the reader and encourage them to read on to and answer the
questions raised.
The most similar method used is the isolated atmosphere both short stories are set in,
alongside the majority of Gothic short stories, for example ‘The Judges House’ by Bram
Stoker which is set in an unknown location to the protagonist (therefore the reader). In ‘The
Signalman' the ‘black tunnel’ which the main story is set behind. It is described as a ‘great
dungeon.' This imagery gives the reader the idea that the signalman is trapped down in his
job and absorbed by the apparitions. It is set in a hazy unclear dusty atmosphere in a tunnel
Whereas in ‘The Red Room’ the place remains anonymous along with the location and the
characters which generates a great sense of mystery. ‘The long, draught subterranean
passage was chilly and dusty.’ This description shows how isolated the house is, and that it
is untouched an uninhabited. The effect of such is that the reader is intrigues by the isolated
atmosphere and wants to find out more details.
Foreboding is used in almost all Gothic short stories. The use of foreboding in ‘The
Signalman’ and ‘The Red Room’ engages the audience by making them want to find out the
ending from the drip fed information revealed throughout the story. Foreboding is the
central theme of ‘The Signalman.’ The signalman sees apparitions which are like
premonitions which foretell his death. “I was doubtful,’ he returned, ‘whether I had seen
you before.’ This exclamation from ‘The Signalman’ is referring to the man the signalman is
talking to. He claims to have seen the man he is talking to (the protagonist) in front of a red
light covered with smoke. This leads us to believe that the signalman is speculating, but
after he tells of other fulfilled premonition, it grabs the readers attention and compels them
to believe what the signalman is talking about, and how his premonition...

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Uploaded by:   jamiep_6

Date:   01/15/2009

Category:   Literature

Length:   9 pages (2,040 words)

Views:   8550

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