Suspense relies on making the reader want to know what happens next. It can be as simple as "Will Johnny get to school on time and avoid detention?" or "Will Mary escape the man with the knife coming into the house to get her?" In The Castle of Otranto, several plot elements keep the reader in suspense, mainly regarding the wellbeing of the sympathetic characters.
Firstly, the main element of suspense in The Castle of Otranto is whether or not Manfred's family is cursed. When Manfred's son is crushed by a large helmet from a statue, both the characters and the audience wonder if that is or isn't a coincidence. The question of the supernatural haunts the novel (no pun intended) and so provides a great deal of suspense and unease.
Another suspenseful element would be Manfred's pursuit of Isabella. Manfred is much older than Isabella but wants to continue his ancestral line, by any means. When Isabella refuses Manfred and he continues to pursue her, Walpole is basically alluding to the fact that "any means" will probably include rape. This threat also provides suspense—making the reader nervous about Isabella's immediate danger.
Theodore's life being endangered also provides suspense. His helping Isabella puts him in the bad graces of Manfred, who orders him to be executed. Theodore escapes, but this threat lays over him for much of the novel. Like with Isabella, the reader is put in suspense because they are not sure if everything will turn out all right for this character.
Lastly, there is the scene where Manfred decides to kill Isabella. He goes into the darkened church with a dagger, pursuing the woman he sees in there—without realizing that this woman is his own daughter, Matilda (not Isabella). The suspense comes from several factors: Will he kill Matilda or realize his error before he finishes the task? Could Matilda stop him? Will anyone else be able to stop him?
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
What are four examples of suspense in the novel The Castle of Otranto and their effects?
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