Horror through Imagination: How do Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, and Shirley Jackson create suspense in their stories “Harvey’s Dream,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “The Lottery”
Introduction
Suspense is a literary style that is adopted by most authors to invoke the creative minds of the audience. Therefore, the authors intentionally fail to draw a conclusion to an event in a story, but instead live it upon the audience to think. On the other hand, mystery is an occurrence that is beyond human understanding, and in most cases it is associated with murder. This essay is anchored on these two styles on the Stephen King’s, Edgar Allan Poe’s, and Shirley Jackson’s stories “Harvey’s Dream,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “The Lottery.
The story Harvey’s dream by Stephen King employs critical techniques and skills in order to influence the manifestation of suspense and mystery. In order to have a clear understanding of the author’s ability to invoke suspense and mystery in the story, it is ideal to have some background information of the story. Thus, delving into the context of mystery developed in the story would means a clear understanding of its plot, and the relationship between the characters, who are either actively or passively engaged in the development of the story. Harvey’s dream is a simple story that King employs the context of narration, and dialogue to express the theme of family tragedy. Indeed, the story begins in the Kitchen of Janet and Hervey Stevens (Stefoff 14). This family is encumbered by a series of standoffs, especially that Harvey is ailing with Alzheimer’s disease.
Therefore, Janet is worried about her future in this marriage, which would be terminated by fate. In fact, Janet takes on Harvey every time, and the standoff ensues even further. This unhappiness would later turn tragic in a family that is kept together by children. Trish is a minor character, and her narration does not come so often. In fact, Trish’s role is very significant to the development of this story, and the author exploits her in developing the note of this story as based on mystery and suspense (Stefoff 17). The audience is left contemplating that it could be the worse for Trish, but we are not sure about this. Otherwise, relying on Harvey’s dream, the audience would be quite sure that Trish met her fatalities as revealed in her father’s dreams. In fact, the way Trish interacts with her parents is very critical to the development of the story and the main theme of tragedy.
The witnessing of this dream generates a clear revelation to the perceived tragedy that this family had embraced. All these incidences are captured due to the author’s articulation of narration style in his story. In fact, the author narrates about Harvey’s family as bewailed by fateful circumstances, and this leads to a feeling of sadness. King uses the narration style to explain about Harvey’s dreams as a turning point to this family’s destiny (Wood, David and Norma 168).Therefore, the entire story uses narration styles, and except for a few sections that captures some stylistic aspects of dialogue (Stefoff 24). For example, the aspect of dialogue comes in when Harvey halts to tell his wife about the last night’s dreams, “I don’t know if I should tell you”. There are several other parts where dialogue has been applied to generate the course of suspense and mystery in the story.
This story is presented on mysterious note. The mystery comes apparent in the way things happen. In most cases, we perceive dreams as abstraction, and as things that do not bear truth in the daily lives. In fact, very few dreams turn out as true in the daily course of life. This is however, different from what the author narrates in this story. Harvey’s dreams is a unique kind of dream; a dream that leads to a true happening, though we are not quite sure, but at least most signs show a fulfillment of his dreams to his family.
The mystery in this story is propagated by the happenings of the dreams against the actual incidences that transpire to Harvey’s family. In his dream, Harvey narrates that he saw his family phone rings, and their daughter Trish mumbled something about death, and immediately Harvey actualized death in his family. This became a turning point in his life, as he perceived death of his daughter in a family that was loosely held by the destiny of children.
The dream invoked deeper into Hervey’s thoughts and had to tell off to Janet, who had become furious of his sadness (Stefoff 14). The reality of this dream began seething through when Janet noticed something on the dented car as she looked through the window. This thing looked like blood and hair, which is a clear manifestation of the dream that Harvey had last night, and later a phone rings. These rare revelations of dreams in the actual life are mysterious to humanity. In most cases, our dreams turn out as mere infatuations and do not hold any relevance in the daily life. It is in the backdrop to the occurrences of such rarity that the story lauds a mysterious tone.
As reiterated before, this story is destined to end in suspense. The audience is aware of what happened in the dream, and could only be left guessing that it was Trish who died. However, the actual events did not happen. In fact, the story ends in suspense as Janet looks out and sees a dented car covered with blood and hair, before the phone could rings. Meanwhile, we are not told whether the blood stained car and hair were expressly from Trish, and if she succumbed to these injuries as it was clear in the dream. Therefore, we have to endure as readers about this last event since story does not give clear information regarding the final circumstance that happened after these two symbols were noticed on the car (Stefoff 35). In fact, we are left contemplating that it could be Trish, and maybe she never died out of the horrific incident.
Suspense and Mystery in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado”
This story is told in first person narrative of unknown narrator, and who is incidentally the character of the story. In fact, the author perfects his skills and ploy in generating the theme of a story by using this literary aspect of writing. The unknown character is later known as Montresor, whose name and character perfectly blends or conforms. On the other hand, the author is very keen in creating tension and the plot of this story by showcasing an open plot of interaction between this main character and other characters.
Another main character who contributed to the development of this story refers to Fortunato, whose name is yet another contrast to his eventual fate, and provocative hue against Montresor (Poe 56). The interaction between these two characters has been built on hatred, while the victim was obliviously unaware of the tension from Montresor.
Moreover, the interaction between these two main characters leads to the fulfillment of the author’s theme and lesson about the story, “The Cask of Amontillado.” The cask of Amontillado was a mere mystery that never happened, and it was just a ploy by Montresor to have his revenge. In as much as this story does not involve minor characters in active participation, they too contribute to the development of tragedy and mystery of the story. For example, Ligeia has been used as a symbol of Montresor’s dark traits. Ligeia is one of the wives to the narrator, whose death was mysterious, and it was believed that it could have been propagated by human hands; her husband. In fact, we are told that she returns and haunts her husband alongside his newly married wife (Poe 61). Thus, the interaction between this character and the narrator is a substantial exhibit, and justification that he is capable of killing and whatever would happen later was not accidental, but a determination and well-orchestrated plan to murder Fortunato. Therefore, the author’s reiteration and involvement of the minor characters is a clear manifestation to have the nature or traits of Montresor revealed.
The narrative is a core style that the author employs in generating tension, mystery and suspense in the story. Issues that unfold between Montresor and Fortunate do not hold a realistic point of view in the contemporary setting, In fact, the story is set on wit and treachery note with the view of executing an evil plan. The reality seems to be different from the appearance of things, and this generates a lot of irony in the story (Poe 68). Indeed, the predisposed circumstances led to the revelation of the dark ordeal that transpired fifty years ago, is a clear mystery to the minds of many people.
While the narrator thought of having relief and contentment after massacring Fortunato, the be-wielding experience of killing his victim led him to reveal the dark side of history, and how he entombed a man by the disguise of a cask of Amontillado. Thus, the mystery in this story is apparent when a loud and unusual sound was produced as Montresor was busy entombing his victim. This was a dark and strange sound that a man like Fortunato could not produce; especially that he had been cornered, and was drunk beyond recognition (Poe 81). In fact, the sound and screams heard during this incident leaves everyone guessing that it could be the evil spirit of killing that were revealing.
This story thus gives a big break since we are not told about what happened to the victim after his strange disappearance for over 50 years. In fact, the story breaks, and begins on this narrative by Montresor, who gives an account of what happened to Fortuanato during the happy festivity that later turned fateful to his life. Again, the audience is left in suspense as the author did not reveal on what had compelled Montresor to unearth his secrets; it could be a guess that it was a last confession before his death, or it could have been a repentance ceremony steered by religious leaders (Poe 94). These are the guesses that the audience has with regards to the personal narration given by Montresor as a revelation of his role towards the death of Fortunato.
Suspense and Mystery Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”
The lottery, a story by Shirley Jackson, brings out a real example of horror in imagination. The lottery creates suspense to the reader from the beginning until the part where the lottery happens. Therefore, the story is set in a village, with the lottery as the most profound tradition. Shirley Jackson creates suspense in her story in various ways. For instance, the lottery employs the technique of creating readers as outsiders to the village, of which the author creates little knowledge on the events occurring during the lottery (Jackson 17).
In addition, the reader is curious to know what actually happens to the village people, who seem to marvel in never-ending joy. Withholding part of the story from readers is the best technique Shirley Jackson used to create suspense to readers. For example, as the story begins, children are playing around in the village; fathers and mothers too, seem to be in a very benevolent mood (Jackson 31). The reader at this point anticipates seeing the source of joy, and what villagers reap from the anticipated lottery ritual. Furthermore, children are gathering stones in the village square, and the reader may have to mistake the lottery as a happy routine. Evidently, the reader in this case develops a feeling that things in the village are typical, later to discover the use of stones in effecting human sacrifices.
Moreover, foreshadowing is mostly employed in the lottery to create anticipation and anxiety in the reader. Foreshadowing is a literature tool, whereby the writer provides bits of insights into future events, without necessarily disclosing the future eventualities. Harry Gages, the postmaster is preparing papers to be picked up at the lottery, for Mr. Summers, who conducts the lottery (Jackson 112). From this point of view, the author lets the reader know of some events and parts of the lottery ritual. Judging from the mood of the villagers, the reader is likely to assume that the lottery papers are the cause of jubilations. In addition to the lottery papers insight, a collection of stones by the village square shows the reader that the stones will be part of the lottery, despite their use being unknown.in this regard, the suspense is created through the foreshadowing of the story’s ending.
Furthermore, Shirley Jackson uses two different views of the story; the protagonist view, and the antagonist way. Towards the end of the story, the reader learns that the lottery is just acting in the manner it was meant, but some of the villagers are hesitant to indulge in the ritual Jackson 186). For example, Tessie seems nervous, restless and hesitant about going to the town square, when she learns that it was her family’s turn to die in the village. She even fakes to have forgotten which day it was. Hence, suspicion develops on the reader on why Tessie would be restless of such a joyous festival.
Moreover, old man Warner says that he has participated in the lottery ritual for seventy-sevent imes, and not even a single misfortune. Old man Warner further criticizes the arrogance of modern generation, to denounce the ways of the village (Jackson 73). Mood fluctuations of the story are also aided by the technique of puzzle in the lottery. The story requires the reader to decipher the message of the author, and different interpretations seem to cause a different ending to the story. The mood of the villagers fades with the progress of the story, as the intentions of the lottery befall their loved ones.
In the lottery, the black box held by Mr. Summers, and the lottery traditions are the main protagonists in the lottery. The author shows that the lottery is the leading cause of frenzy behavior among the villagers, and the black box being the means to actualize this story. In this accord, the lottery and the black box act as the main characters in Shirley Jackson’s story. Tessie, Mr. Summers, old man Warner, Rill, and Harry Gaves constitute the secondary characters.
Apparently, the ending to Shirley Jacksons ‘the lottery’, was quite surprising, as the reader would not be expecting such a tragic turn of events. Moreover, the lottery and the black box are the main narrators of the story, bringing about a gruesome ending. The reader does not learn of the intentions of the villagers until Tessie picks up the marked paper, which signaled her execution, and stones started raining down on her head (Jackson 290). The abrupt disclosure of events brings up the most surprise to the story’s ending.
Comparison to the three Stories
The three stories are set on various similitudes, which lead to the development and entrenchment of the core theme. The most common and overriding theme in the three stories refers to theme of tragedy. Harvey’s Dream story is founded on a tragic dream that foretells death to a family whose fate hangs on a balance. In fact, death inferno begins with Janet’s apparent regret to her marriage that she perceives as short-lived since it is destined to death of his husband. Harvey suffers from deadly disease, and is destined to die after some years (Wood, David and Norma 165). The next and the closest tragic element in which this story has refer to horrifying dreams that Harvey has of his daughter’s death. The death of Trish was perceived in Harvey’s dreams, and the story took us almost there, but left everything in suspense.
Moreover, “The Cask of Amontillado,” by Edger Allan Poe gives a critical narrative of murder, where a living man was entombed by his perceived acquaintance. The tragedy was perpetrated by Montresor against Fortunato. The ill-brewing conflicts emanated when Fortunato was mistaken as a very abusive character, and halted these abuses at Montresor. In fact, the timing of Fortunato’s merciless entombing came in the wake of festivities, where the victim was entombed while unconscious. Other tragic incidences in this story relates to Montresor’s believed involvement in his wife’s mysterious sickness that resulted to her death. In fact, these few elements set to spur a tragic theme of the story. Shirley Jackson uses the theme of randomness and tragedy in her story, to show the reader that things are not always what they seem. Sacrifices done by the villagers showed randomness, and villagers were uncertain which of their family would be sacrificed (Jackson 243). Lastly, Shirley Jackson’s story is similar to Harvey’s dream and cask of amontillado in the sense that all the three stories use foreshadowing to create suspense and bring up captivating ending.
While the King’s story is set on a humorous note, Poe’s story “the cask of Amontillado” is considered as one of the shortest and the simplest stories of such works. On the other hand, this story invokes the deepest of moods, despite its simplicity. Poe’s lifestyle was defined by simplicity, and did not intend to create tragedy while reading a story. The tragedy in a story would be like contrast and complexity when reading a story. While this did not manifest in Poe’s life, he considered expressing his points in a simplistic note, while only concentrating on the most provocative and captivating social points. In this story, Poe uses Montresor as a devil, and introduces his evil character at the very moment that the story begins. Nevertheless, Poe’s articulation of this story is fantastic as every line generates unity and totality effect that the story would achieve. Therefore, every point bears a significant meaning to the storyline.
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is a tragic story that is set on a community that is still indulged in traditional practices. The society believes that a member of the society should die every year as a fulfillment of the Lottery’s demands. Shirley’s story focuses on a lifestyle that practices archaic tradition, which believes that a lottery is a symbol of destiny. The author sets this story on a tragic influence, and regardless of one’s innocence the Lottery would have the last speech. This is the apparent fulfillment of a tradition that believes in casting and entrenched archaic belief. Shirley’s lifestyle is set on tragedies, and she tries to unleash this frustration through her story. Symbolism and beliefs mars this story, and Shirley relates this concept to her life in a society that is be-wielded by archaic traditions. This is the lifestyle that Shirley portrays in this story.
Finally, Tessie’s execution was a fulfillment of the lottery in which she was realized. This sets a powerful note of tragedy in which her fate is sealed through death. This story, equally upholds secrecy and cover-up, since Tessie’s death comes as surprise to the audience. In summary, these three stories are set on a theme of tragedy, while encompassing varied, but somehow similar literary styles of presentation. The relationship that the authors develop between the main and minor characters acts as a revelation to the darks sides or the core themes of the stories.
Work cited
Jackson, Shirley. The Lottery and Other Stories. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005. Print.
Poe, Edgar A. The Cask of Amontillado.n.b. :Tebbo, 2012. Print.
Stefoff, Rebecca. Stephen King. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2011. Print
Wood, Rocky, David Rawsthorne, and Norma Blackburn. Stephen King: Uncollected, Unpublished. Mount Waverley, Vic: Kanrock Pub, 2006. Print.
