How does Dickens create tension in “The Signalman”?

Dickens uses setting elsewhere to create tension. When the Visitor returns to listen to the Signalman's story he says, " I will come at eleven o'clock ". Eleven o'clock is used to create tension, as this is one hour before witching hour, therefore creating tension.

The continued reminder to the Visitor that he must not call out when he returns suggests that the Signalman's mood is strange. The language used

tries to alert the reader of the impending doom of the Signalman.

The Signalman says he had "A mortal abhorrence of the place" When he follows the appearance into the tunnel. This illustrates the Signalman's fear and hatred of this figure. It also shows his dedication to his job and wary feeling toward the figure. His feelings towards the tunnel match earlier descriptions of it. Also when the Signalman is describing the actions of the appearance to the Visitor. He explains how the Appearance was " Violently waving". The use of violently intensifies the story.

All of the accidents take place in daylight. At first this builds a false sense of security: thus creating tension. This undercuts the established idea of a ghost story. Again on the evening that the Signalman is killed, there is a false sense of security. When the evening is described as "Lovely", The reader would expect everything to be fine. The huge contrast of the "Lovely evening" and the "Nameless horror" Sets the scene dramatically. The idea that there would be less danger in the daytime is broken again. Dickens is continuously keeping the reader in suspense. Also we know after the second accident there will be another, as in a typical ghost or horror film, accidents come in threes.

Later in the story we see contrast between the Signalman and the powerful trains. The Signalman is seen to be a caring and kind man, which is juxtapose of the violent powerful trains and the accidents they cause.

When the Signalman first hears the Visitor call out to him he doesn't look up at him, "He looked down along the railway line". Which suggests the Signalman thinks it is the voice of the spectre calling out to him. This builds tension as we see the confusion of the Signalman and the misunderstood thoughts of the Visitor who is watching the Signalman's actions.

The Signalman's behaviour builds tension elsewhere. The Signalman continuously keeps looking at the mechanical bell for no apparent reason. Dickens wrote "He twice broke off with a fallen colour, turned his face towards the little bell when it did not ring, opened the door and looked out towards the red light. We don't know why the Signalman does this and wonder what he can sense. The suspense of not knowing creates tension.

We see tension in the short story in one of the conversations between the Visitor and the Signalman. The Visitor says to the Signalman "I believed you to be a contented man?" The Signalman replies with "I believed I used to be, but I am troubled Sir, I am troubled. The repetition of "I am troubled" creates tension in itself. The reader is curious as to what is troubling him. We then have to wait in suspense to find out what the problem is.

The Signalman's anxiety is displayed to the reader when he is explaining what he is troubled by (to the Visitor). The Signalman is described as "Drawing his hand across and across his temples". Which suggests that the Signalman is distressed. Then he is described, as being in a "Feverish distress" Suggesting that his anxiety has caused him to almost be physically ill. This creates tension, because we do not know how long the Signalman can last under so much pressure. In his condition he could easily make a mistake in his job. He is also in a great sense of suspense as when he meets the spectre, it never tells him what to do or how to avoid these accidents.

The Visitor is the narrator of the story, because of this, the images that the reader forms have all come from what the Visitor has seen and then describes. When the Signalman is frightened or worried it is also passed on to the reader.

When the Visitor first meets and sees the Signalman he portrays him as a mysterious and an educated man. The Signalman seems to be mysterious because of his unwillingness to point out the path in which the Visitor could climb down. He is described as having a "Singular air of reluctance" when he points out the path to the Visitor. Which suggests the Signalman did not want to meet the Visitor, which is strange as he occupies such a lonely job. We know that the Visitor thinks the Signalman is well educated because he is described as speaking with "Well chosen words". Which suggests he had a broad and good education.

When first seeing the Signalman the Visitor thinks he maybe in some way mentally ill. He describes him as having an "Infection in his mind". Suggesting he is insane. This builds tension as you wonder about the Signalman's mental health.

The narrator describes the Signalman to be "The safest of Signalmen", but then he describes him as being at odds with his character. Which suggest the Signalman's behaviour is abnormal. This also suggests that the Signalman is usually very safe, but his behaviour now could be dangerous and his responsibilities as a Signalman could therefore be affected.

The Visitor seems shocked after hearing the Signalman's story. He says, "a disagreeable shudder crept over me". This is a powerful description. By displaying the Visitors feelings Dickens creates tension when showing the narrators anxiety.

The reader and Visitor feel sorry for the Signalman due to him being helpless and powerless to stop what is going on. Each time the words "Halloa! Below there! "Are repeated they become even more chilling. These words are coincidentally the words that the engine driver uses and the words that haunt the Signalman. The many delays add tension to the story because they increase suspense, therefore increasing tension

When the Visitor finally gets to see the appearance he seems pleased. We are told that the Visitor "Could not describe the thrill" Of seeing the appearance. He is pleased as now he can help the Signalman and also he can relate to the Signalman's story. This builds tension as we know every time the spectre appears an accident follows. This is broken when the Visitor sees the spectre. The ending of the book is very straightforward compared to the rest of the short story, though the mystery is not over. When the Visitor talks to the engine driver, he says, "Signalman killed". This short answer easily and quickly describes what has happened.

I think the stories' setting is a key factor, the deep railway line is an excellent setting for this story. The characters nervousness and anxiety influences the reader's suspense. The speech used by the characters reflects their feelings to the reader. These points combined all create tension in Charles Dickens "The Signalman".