Compare the signal man by Charles Dickens and if she bends, she
breaks by John Gordon
Introduction
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In my essay I intend to compare the similarities and differences of
many aspects of 2 short stories. "The signal man" a pre 20th century
story by Charles Dickens and "If she bends she breaks" a post 20th
century story. By John Gordon.
They are naturally different because of their age. The signal man is
pre20th century and is typical of the style of story from that era. If
she bends she breaks is post 20th century so it has more modern words
and is aimed at a younger audience.
The stories themselves are similar in that they are both macarbre
ghost stories.
Titles
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The title to every story gives the first impression and can give clues
as to what the topic of the story is or what will happen.The signal
man is a plain boring title thay does not make people wish to read
it.If she bends she breaks on the other hand is an unusual title , it
is mysterious and makes you want to read on. But a good title does not
necessarily mean a good story. I found the signal man was a much
better short story where as if she bends she breaks seemed a better
title but it is aimed at young children, is a pretty boring story and
the plot is easy to pick up, early in the story. The signal man is a
boring title but it lets you know what the story is about without
giving away the plot. If she bends she breaks is a very intersting
title and you only know what it means when you've read the story so it
is very effective.
But "if she bends has an unusual title, it makes you want to read it,
and only when you read it do you find out what, "if she bends she
breakss" mean.
"if she bends" title, was very good, the story was not as good, in
contrast it was the opposite for "the signal man", it had a plain
title, but a good story.
Beginings and settings
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The beginning of the signal man, creates an atmoshpere of the
supernatural by, its settings.
The settings in the signal man, are descibe by dickens as very dark,
solitary, and dismal place, "his post was in as solitary and dismal
place", meaing that the signal was all alone, in a very dark, and
boring place, which is a typical setting for a ghost story
He discribes it as being "a great dungeon" dark, cold, scary, and
horrible this gives the reader the sense of pain and torture.
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