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An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge And Rappaccini's Daughter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

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The literary element of suspense is essential in any piece of decent literature as it creates momentum between each rising action within the plot. By means of suspense, the author invokes anticipation and a lack of certainty, drawing the reader further into the plot. Short stories, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce, “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe and “Rappaccini’s Daughter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne display various methods of the integration of suspense in literature and its influence on the story. False relief, foreshadowing, and hidden truths being amongst the many. Likewise, the tone and mood of the story are vital to the establishment of suspense. They combine to influence the reader’s emotions whilst …show more content…

Even when it comes to his own daughter. And it is Baglioni who deceives Giovanni and kills his beloved with a fatal “antidote”. As Giovanni discovers the true identities of his surroundings, it is the story’s suspenseful quality that drives both Giovanni and the reader to venture further. Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” enters the mind of a sociopath, that of which is filled with senseless revenge and indifference towards human life. Such thoughts cannot be, and were not, expressed in mere words. They were portrayed by bizarre actions that ultimately led to a destructive end. A feeling of suspense followed each bizarre action, waiting for what Montresor will do next. Early on, Montresor’s state of mind is assumed and he is deemed an unreliable narrator. This fact sets an eerie tone for the entire story, only capable of rising. Poe also uses foreshadowing to keep the level of suspense high. The plot of “The Cask of Amontillado” is revealed piece by piece without much clarification as to why. When Montresor arrives to his palazzo along with Fortunado, the readers learn that the attendants were given precise orders to remove themselves from the property as soon as possible. This hints at the fact that Montresor is up to something due to his sudden desire to be left alone with Fortunado. Down in the catacombs, the reader is reminded of Montresor’s motive which was previously foreshadowed. “I

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