How Does The Writer Create Atmosphere In The Novel

Debi Hopkins 11A1 Miss Skeldon

How Does The Writer Create Atmosphere In The

Novel “The Woman In Black” and the

Short Story “The Signalman”?

“The Woman In Black” and “The Signalman” are both of the same genre horror/ghost stories. This genre is ideal to create a distinct atmosphere for the reader to be drawn into. The atmosphere the author creates for the reader is done so by mainly 2 things. Firstly, the characters, descriptions of supernatural presence, disbelief of the character or narrator and their uncertainty or confusion of conflict. Secondly, the setting, the type of setting chosen is very important and the way in which the author describes it also.

When we pick up either of these stories we come to expect certain features from this genre. Both ghost stories have a derelict and isolated setting, very common in a ghost story. Also, many points are set in dark and enclosed spaces, where there is an inability to see clearly. Descriptions are used a lot, especially descriptions of darkness, strangeness and coldness. In both stories, there is a “supernatural presence” that is for the most part unexplained, but is something the narrator can both see and hear. There may be a sense of evil, or the manifestation us one of unrest. It is up to the reader to work out the story surrounding the unnatural presence-sometimes at the same time as the narrator if things are withheld from us. An atmosphere of unrest, either from the supernatural presence, or the discomfort from main characters, the narrator and even the reader is created. The setting creates an atmosphere of isolation and coldness. The emphasis on darkness and enclosure creates an atmosphere of unrest and confusion for the reader as well as the narrator. The atmosphere of ghostliness may extend to be one of evil too.

In “The Signalman” the dark setting-deep in trench, which admits little light, and where the ground vibrates and pulsates when a train comes, by-sets the mood for the supernatural visitation, which haunts the man. Specific words such as “watchfulness” and “unusually precipitous” are used to convey feeling to the reader. Descriptions of the setting and character’s feelings along with the narrator’s reaction to all of these play a crucial part in creating the atmosphere wanted by Dickens. There is a contrast from nothing; silence and stillness, to something; noise and movement.

The story starts with a shout “Halloa! Below there!” This is a sudden noise and disturbs the silence. Dickens describes the shadows from the sunset as a “violent pulsation”; the language used here creates an element of strangeness as if the author is creating almost a horror effect for the reader. The signalman continues not to respond, this makes the narrator feel uncomfortable because he knows he is being ignored. “The cutting was extremely deep” this description suggests danger within the setting. There is a distinct description of the signalman; again the language used, “solitary”, ”depressing” makes the reader feel uncomfortable because it seems the signalman is not very sociable, “barbarous” he even says. The author says there is a “striking chill” but this does not necessarily mean it is cold; he may be referring to the atmosphere surrounding the narrator. The author also creates atmosphere by keeping the reader is suspense at times, he puts in “monstrous though” which is deliberately vague to the reader. The narrator uses “ghost like figure” as part of his description, which could lead to the impression that something here us connected with evil. The way the signalman looks at him and finally speaks to him changes the narrators mind about him. Although the atmosphere becomes still, neither the signalman nor narrator feel at ease in the situation. “Long and lonely hours…” are words used to describe the signalman’s job. The narrator tells us how the setting has affected the signalman, thus creating an atmosphere of loneliness and fear. We are let into a bit of the signalman’s background; “run wild” is a phrase used suggesting his past is quite mysterious. There is an emphasis on the fact the signalman does not talk much, this seems unnatural to both the narrator and the reader. When the signalman starts ignoring signals, and repeatedly looking for a train as though he expecting one we see these actions as mysterious on his part and this causes an atmosphere. Followed up by saying “but I am troubled, sir, I am troubled” the way he repeats the same phrase creates an atmosphere, this is emphasised by him not actually telling us what he is troubled by. The author enhances this by the signalman replying “It is very difficult, sir!” When he is asked about his troubles. He cannot even talk about the problem. Although the first few pages set the reader up for a strange atmosphere, the story really starts to build up a few pages on.

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The signalman explains his situation to the narrator, “speaking in a tone but a little above a whisper,” suggesting that he may be afraid. The signalman becomes fearful because he sees a figure that seems to be issuing a warning, “violently waved.” This is a mystery though because when the signalman checks he finds there is nothing wrong. Fear is shown when the signalman believes he’s seen something supernatural, the narrator tries to make out the signalman has just seen an illusion he tries to sceptical about it and say its because the place is isolated and deserted. However, the signalman continues with his story. The narrator describes his reaction to the story and this gives the reader an idea of the atmosphere. The supernatural sighting now referred to, as the “Appearance” suggesting it seems more important, like an event. When the word “spectre” is mentioned an eerie atmosphere is picked up on and the evil side comes through again. This also introduces not only ghostliness but death too. “A ghostly nod” introduces more horror into the atmosphere. The reader is lead to believe the Appearance is just in his mind. What troubles the narrator is that disaster follows the Appearance, so if he saw it…this causes him “feverish distress” and we as a reader respond to his distress. The atmosphere here is created through his reaction to the ghost, and that he genuinely believes and is afraid. It is not what the signalman has heard that the narrator questions, but merely why he’s not being told, how can he possibly help? This leaves the narrator troubled, thus creating an atmosphere of confusion for the reader, as we don’t know whom to believe. We are then led into an almost happy atmosphere “lovely evening, and I walked out to enjoy it.” Then the story is continued and we are taken back into the ghost atmosphere “I saw the appearance of a man,” is repeated as said before. We then find out the signalman has been killed “his face is quite composed,” there becomes a solemn atmosphere; we know the signalman has not been damaged but killed. It becomes strange to us as a reader, as we become confused as to where the story begins and ends. What is reality here? We are left with a mystery!

The actual story of "The Woman in Black" is a fairly short and straightforward one, but what Susan Hill wants to do is create a sinister and unnerving feel to the story: we tend to see everything through Arthur's eyes, which helps to build up a feeling of tension as we (and he) await the inevitable sinister happenings. It's all to do with mood and atmosphere; the atmosphere mainly created in this book is that of evil. She makes use of the weather and gloominess in general to give an unpleasant feel to the environment around him. You can't do this in a hurry, hence the detail of the descriptions.

The scene is set in the first chapter with the description of the happy, festive meal which had taken place on Christmas Eve at Monk`s Piece. The fact too that the weather had changed (the author said) from chilling rain and a low mist over the countryside which had lasted all the previous week. The writer shows through descriptive language that there could be no outdoor pursuits while the weather was so bad. Names of people and places now begin to create an atmosphere of evil Alice Drablow the house where she lived, Eel Marsh House. The fog surrounding London all help to create a sinister picture. In the first chapter, Christmas Eve, we read of contrasts in the weather (depicting good and evil). Arthur Kipps the narrator describes the different kinds of seasonal weather sweetly scented and balmy with the flowers of midsummer, pungent with the bonfires and leaf mould of autumn, crackling cold from frost and snow. Then he goes on to describe the weather of the previous week rain, chilling rain and a mist that lay low. Visibility was too poor; lamps were lit throughout the day, fires burned dismally low. This description helps create a sombre atmosphere, one of melancholy and prepares us in some way uncertainly which is to come. When Kipps describes his time at the funeral of Alice Drablow, he mentions the cemetery and the graveside in such a way that suspense and anticipation of evil is felt, particularly at the sighting of the ghost of Jennet Humfrye. Everybody who Kipps mentions this woman in black too, does not want to talk about it and quickly changes the subject, and this adds mystery to the woman in black as a character. The plot progresses to Kipps travelling in the pony and trap to Eel Marsh House. To get there he crosses the Nine Lives Causeway whose name is symbolic. The events become more frightening as the story progresses. Kipps describes the surroundings of Eel Marsh House, to the east sea and sky had darkened slightly to a uniform leaden grey. The wind that came suddenly snaking off the estuary was cold. He describes the ruins of an ancient chapel all broken-down and crumbling. Then the fright of a bird with lots loudly beating wings and a harsh croaking cry, it was an ugly, satanic-looking thing! He describes the burial ground and the effect it has on him suddenly conscious of the cold and the extreme bleakness and eeriness of the spot and of the gathering dusk of the November afternoon. Kipps then saw the woman with the wasted face. Through the desolation and despair, the writer creates anxiety and the reader becomes more agitated and fraught. The descriptive language creates effect and builds up the suspense. There are anti-climaxes, which relieve the anxiety such as, Spider had settled again on the rug. It was a little after two clock, it was a long time before I slept. The climax come again when spider is ensnared onto the marshes at night but the whistle had been real, not a trick of the wind. Yet I would have sworn it had not come from any human lips. It describes quite graphically how Kipps saved the dogs life but almost lost his own. Once I plunged my leg down and it stuck fast in a watery hole until I managed to exert all my strength and get free. At the end of the novel there is another climax, an unexpected one, the death of Kipps` wife and child. Unexpected in that the narrator describes a peaceful, happy Sunday afternoon in summer. He describes a festive holiday air, stalls selling ice creams, small boats being rowed, and a band playing. He goes on to tell of the child and his mother enjoying a ride in the pony and trap. It was a happy scene depicting good when suddenly Kipps sees the ghost of Jennet Humfrye û everything changed - good changed to evil All the world went dark around me and the shouts and happy cries of all the children faded. Kipps describes the evil emanating from the ghost, yet I felt all over again the renewed power emanating from her, the malevolence and hatred and passionate bitterness. It pierced me through. There is contrast again with the evil ghost versus innocent children The pony cart came trotting back down the avenue, through the shaft of sunlight that lay across the grass, with my dear Stella sitting in it and holding up the baby, who was bouncing and calling and waving his little arms with delight! Then suddenly she appeared (the woman in black) She moved quickly, her skirts rustling as if to step into the pony’s path. The animal swerved violently and then reared a little, it’s eyes filled with sudden fright and then it took off. The story finishes with Stella and the baby being killed instantly. Whenever her ghost is seen, a child dies but in this instant Kipps` wife also dies. In the final chapter, The Woman in Black, Kipps suffers his last tragedy, the death of his wife and child. They lifted Stella gently from the cart. Her body was broken, her neck and legs fractured, though she was still conscious. Our baby son had been thrown clear, clear against another tree. He lay crumpled on the grass below it, dead. This is an unexpected climax at the end of the novel.

The novel “The Woman In Black” and the short story “The Signalman”, as well as both being of the same genre, they also have other similarities. They both include a spectre within the story and this is what the stories are based around. “The Signalman” introduces not only ghostliness but also death and mourning, this is similar to “The Woman In Black” when the child dies and Arthur Kipps hears horrifying cries. They both have terrible reactions when a death is involved. The Signalman feels he is in some way drawn into the main event, as does Arthur Kipps in the novel. The Signalman has to experience a death, which is torturous to him, but he cannot stop it, as does Arthur in “The Woman In Black”.

As for the atmosphere in both these stories, the emphasis on the descriptions of darkness, of the setting and of the characters emotions and this helps the reader to feel what is going on.