Friday, 21 June 2013
Suspense in Chapter 17
Chapter 17 in To Kill a Mocking Bird has a lot of suspense in it even though the result of a trial seems to be a forgone conclusion. As the trial is based on the trial of “the Scottsboro Incident” the reader can predict the outcome.
Because there is no real suspense in the outcome of the trial, Harper Lee attempts to create suspense in other areas of the trial creating the illusion that the outcome of the trial is a mystery. The slow way in which Atticus dismantles the witnesses asking them to repeat answers (See Page 184) gives the impression of a lack of information and repeating of sections of text can leave the reader wanting to read something else giving them the feeling that they want a change in the writing format and can make them long for new, original segments of text which will actually give more information on the case.
Another way in which suspense is created in the chapter is through Jem’s childlike belief that his father, Atticus can still be victorious. He doesn't recognize or chooses not to recognize the fact that his father’s efforts, although brilliant in his opinion will be in vain. He continues to believe that Atticus still has an ace up his sleeve which will win him the case. Indeed when Jem says “We’ve got him” after Bob Ewell is revealed to be left handed the reader knows better. This is another way that Harper Lee tries to convince us that the outcome of the trial can’t be predicted and therefore creates suspense forcing the reader to read on.
Quiz
Here is a little quiz website on "To Kill A Mockingbird"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/quiz/2010/jul/09/harper-lee-kill-a-mockingbird
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)