In the speckled band how does Sir Arthur Conan Doyle produce a feeling of tension throughout
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Essay 4 Alison Wells 03/02/02
In the speckled band, how does Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle produce a feeling of tension throughout the story so that the reader's interest is maintained? Explain whether you find the ending of the story convincing or not explain your reasons
It is wise to remember when embarking on this story, that it was written over one hundred years ago. Therefore although it is a classic it is clearly a very straightforward murder, mystery with little of the complex twists and turns of our modern day novels. However, this story will have been used as a benchmark for practically all our present day detective stories.
The author Conan-Doyle writes as the first person, yet he shrewdly chooses the character of Watson and not the famous Sherlock Holmes, thus enabling him to show the discussion between the two men. This allows the reader to follow Sherlock Holmes' train of thought, perceived through the eyes of his companion, Watson. Many detective novels are written in this way, using a sidekick to allow open discussion between the two characters. This enables the detective to narrate his thoughts to his deputy, and consequently to the reader.
Conan-Doyle starts to build the tension in the story from the outset. He initially introduces the first main character Helen Stoner who is described skilfully by the author " Her face all drawn and grey, with restless, frightened eyes, like those of a hunted animal"...