Tension and Suspens in The Monkey's Paw and The Signalman

Tension and Suspens in The Monkey's Paw and The Signalman

'The Monkey's Paw' is a horror story with action, tension, suspense

and a mysterious death. The whole story takes place in one house. T he

story was written in the nineteenth century. It's about a monkey's paw

that grants three wishes. However every wish has consequences.

In the first paragraph the scene is set and there is a contrast in the

way the outside and inside are described.

"Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of

laburnum villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly"

The conditions outside are typical of a horror setting

"The night was cold and wet"

This creates an unpleasant atmosphere. The characters are inside with

the blinds drawn and seem separated from the outside with a burning

fire. This creates a clam mood, the total opposite to outside. There

seems to be no danger within the house but the reader knows something

is going to go wrong.

When the old solider first enters the story suspense is built up "As

the gate banged to loudly and heavy footsteps came towards the door."

The introduction to new character builds up tension by not telling the

reader who is trying to enter the house.

The sergeant major is reluctant to explain what the monkey's paw is

and tries to make out there is nothing special about the monkey's paw.

"It's just an ordinary little paw dried to a little mummy"

The word mummy builds up tension because they are associated with

evil. The fact he is trying to avoid the subject makes the reader

suspicious. The sergeant major gives Mr White advice

"Better let it burn" and "if you must wish …. Wish for something

sensible"

Mr White thinks it's a joke

"Don't you think you might wish for four pairs of hands for me?"

In most horror stories there is usually a mad man that no one believes

so this will cause tension to build up.

When the sergeant major leaves Mr White gets a fright.