In the beginning of my second story, written by Charles Dickens, The Signalman, the s
Murder mystery stories coursework
Write about the ingredients essential to create a successful mystery story.
Introduction
I have studied pre-1900 short stories by different authors, which all follow a similar format and historical content of their time. In my essay I will discuss and describe what necessary ingredients are needed to make these murder mystery short stories effective and successful.
Short stories became an extremely favoured form of fiction and entertainment during the nineteenth century... In the days before electrical advantages for entertainment, (e.g:-radio, television, films and videos) adventure was generally only discovered/only existed within the imagination of mystery and supernatural stories, and were especially popular in the Victorian age, where people would escape into the mystifying worlds the words described in the stories. (Perhaps these authors' fulfilled the need for excitement in this relatively oppressed society...). It was during this era that many writers began to capture readers' curiosity about death, vengeance, trickery, imprisonment, hanging, ghosts and fear...
A first impression may affect/ determine the way the words will communicate with its reader throughout a story. So I feel it important that the begining of a mystery story must be (engaging, compelling, intriguing, appealing, capture the imagination/ attentions of the audience) immediately for it to be successful.
Mystery= arcane, baffling, curious, enigmatic, incomprehesible, inexplicable, insoluable, magical, miraculous, mystifying, obscure, perplexing, puzzling, secret, strange, uncanny, unexplained, unfathomable, unknown, wierd, bizarre, puzzle, problem, riddle, abnormal, supernatural.
Murderous= barbaric, bloodthirsty, brutal, cruel, dangerous, deadly, ferocious, fierce, homocidal, pitiless, ruthless, savage, vicious, violent, assassin.
The overall effect of the above ingredients, if successfully combined, will ensure the reader is first drawn in, by capturing their imagination, and they are then compelled to keep reading until the end.
Beginings
In the begining of our first story The Adventure of the Engineers Thumb by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1892) (who is the creator of the famous characters Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson's detective adventures) He tells this strange, dramatic story, which he believes, had been told more than once in the newspapers - to stress how significant this mysterious account was. The following quotation is the paragraph introducing the story:-
'One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the maid tapping at the door, to announce that two men had come from Paddington, and were waiting in the consulting room. I dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my old ally, the guard, came out of the room, and closed the door tightly behind him. 'I've got him here,' he whispered, jerking his thumbs over his shoulder, 'He's all right.' 'What is it then?' I asked, for his manner suggested that it was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room.'
I can't speak on anyone else's behalf, but by the story suddenly beginning, it became immediately intriguing to me and I was already caught up in where the story would escape to. The character being excited (about a railway case, that are rarely unimportant) made me want to read on. Also the behaviour of the guard, and how he introduces 'the strange creature' is compelling; you want to find out who/what Dr Watson is about to meet.
In the beginning of my second story, written by Charles Dickens, The Signalman, the story has begun on the first line, 'Halloa! Below there!' This is more effective compared to Sir Arthur Doyle and Dr Watson's opening. The story begins straight away...: Who has said that? Why have they said that? Below where? -Without saying much the readers attention is suddenly seized! Another quote designed to raise curiosity is;
'There was something remarkable in his manner of doing so, though I could not have said for my life what'- (Who is so unusual, and why? What will happen next?) Exclamation and question marks make what's being said eye-catching and striking. And you read on to find out any answers...
The character who introduces The Phantom Coach by Amelia. B. Edwards cautions readers about their story; she relates the events as if she is about to give evidence in court 'The circumstances I am about to relate to you have truth to recommend them. They happened to myself, and my recollection of them is as vivid as if they had taken place only yesterday. Twenty years, however, have gone by since that night. During those twenty years I have told the story to but one other person. I tell it now with reluctance which I find difficult to overcome. All I entreat, meanwhile, is that you will abstain from forcing your own conclusions upon me. I want nothing explained away. I desire no arguments. My mind on this subject is quite made up, and, having the testimony of my own senses to rely upon, I prefer to abide by it!', (next paragraph),'Well!..' From the begining you wonder what on earth could such unearthly circumstances could this person have come across...? The narator also used language that literally talks to the audience, because they insist that they won't 'listen' to anybody's opinions. And (is allowing the reader no option to disagree/contradict by stating facts, or attempt to protest with their own therory.) insisting their experience is not a hoax, as it is vivid. The language used gives the impression that the narrator has been forced to tell the story and because whomever else they have told were skeptical (refuse to believe them), they tell it as if you should just listen and try not to be skeptical, so whatever the story contains it must include/involve some kind of strange, unbelievable circumstance.
Out of the five murder mystery short stories I have studied, each begining is quite individual and different in comparison to one another. One begins gradually, another suddenly, and the other objectively.
Next, I will dicuss and compare the difference(s) in the way the authors use Location, Time and Weather to affect the mood of each story;
Where;
* Where the story is set for the majority of the novel, for example: location and environment; how they are involved and how they're described.
* What you're supposed to feel about those places-how do they add to the atmosphere of stories?
* Isolation:
o the reader acknowleges that if anything happens, the characters are far from safety, and have a slightly emotional connection with them e.g. pity...(isolation from safety which would be oblivious to any of the dangers that the character may face... until its too late. (The mysterious happenings would be left on a 'cliffhanger': left unknown to history) Cut off from any nearby help, makes them feel helpless against inevitable abnormal happenings awaiting them in the plot (...arising danger=suspense/fear) suspense helps the building up to a shocking and impressive climax.
When;
* When the stories have supposedly taken place. How this adds to a sense of mystery. How the author has created the feeling of a lifestyle a century ago.
* The time of year or time of day and the way the author represents the era that the stories were established through their words, would significantly affect the mood of the story.
Weather;
The weather can play its own role in contributing to the mood and anticipation of the reader might have, for example: the whereabouts. England/Scotland i.e.- different environments/atmospheres circumstances, for a ...
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When;
* When the stories have supposedly taken place. How this adds to a sense of mystery. How the author has created the feeling of a lifestyle a century ago.
* The time of year or time of day and the way the author represents the era that the stories were established through their words, would significantly affect the mood of the story.
Weather;
The weather can play its own role in contributing to the mood and anticipation of the reader might have, for example: the whereabouts. England/Scotland i.e.- different environments/atmospheres circumstances, for a story to become mysterious/strange...
Modern society has had the convienience/opportunity of electricity as a possible means of security in the face of danger. For example; telephones, guidance (i.e. of street lamps), emergency assistance/communications, and television and radio broadcasts/worldwide connections for information such as weather forecast and recent global news. One hundred years ago, without electricity people were much more vulnerable to any surprises 'nature' and destiny has up their sleeves! Perhaps their weakness was roaming unlimited imaginations', because they lacked knowledge, common sense or instinct to help put events into perspective, disipline their mind, like 'we' are now able to. It's our ancestors' education from experiences that have given the power/knowledge to progress to where we are now.
Personally, I think that the era we live in at the moment is alot safer, and to a modern reader an old story is a compelling read because they speculate/question over characters safety. As time has moved on compared with our enhanced communications, a general broader understanding and education (or lack of it) was it, maybe, even more compelling compared to then, due to a more constrained society (?), than today, therefore was the read more compelling by comparison to todays reader.
Consequently the setting of a story could enhance a mysterious aspect, (effectively, moreover).
The Phantom Coach by Amelia. B. Edwards, I find, is quite a good example to prove my point. This story was set in Winter, and in isolated circumstances...
'The month; December, the place; a bleak wide moor in the far north of England' this quote has combined location, time and weather, encapsulating all these elements; at that time of year the weather would be cold, and the bleak wide moor in the far north of England translates as a bare, depressing, wintry surrounding; being in the coldest, isolated part of the country. (Where, When, Who/What, why ...are they in a cold isolated part of the country/time of year?) Not exactly cheery or uplifting! The short, to-the-point, use of language also sets an interesting pace.
The use of common language/words which were apparent a century ago for example: the Grouse season, and use of lanterns. The language the story is written, also relates to how the author has created the feeling of a lifestyle a century ago. Such as, "Out yonder' said he.' -this kind of language is not used by modern English society. But it may just be setting a scene for rich people, so was it a class devide setting the expected reader or was it a scene setting, of a rich persuit? Out yonder is used today by older characters more northerly, (but by citizens whom lived out that same era of when the stories were established). Grouse are still shot today but more by entertaining rich executives as a business of diversity as opposed to the land owners entertaining guests...
The Judges House will also be a good example of how time and place add to affect the mood of a good mystery story. This story is set almost always in this isolated, quiet...'desolation, was the only term used to convey any suitable idea of its isolation, old rambling, heavy-built house.'. The only time mysterious happenings occur were during the dead of night, with only the fire to light a house. The fact that there is darkness all around, is designed to make the reader feel an immediate sense of discomfort (almost claustrophobic), adding that eerie feeling, a sense of uneasiness and expectations of what could happen at night or where the author might take the night- (the story was written in the era without electricity...)
Lost Hearts by M. R. James has set this spooky story firstly in early autumn to winter, e.g. 'September of the year 1811 of Aswarby Hall, in the heart of Lincolshire.'
I have picked out this ironic quote because the story involves the dissection of humans and taking out hearts! The reader will appreciate this play on words, as it seems like a clever, sickening twist.
One Friday night in March then again on 24th March, 1812-' were windy, noisy days which filled the house and gardens with a restless impression'
* 'A restless impression' suggests a disturbed, agitated, impatient, troubled, and unsettled presense; it has been personified into some sort of spirit/soul that is making an impressive impact throughout such huge grounds.
* The weather is cold for this time of year, and has no pattern, using personification to make the weather seem like it has it's own mind or playing an unpredictable role, and the characters cannot be in control of their surroundings.
* Although the author has made the events happen into a pattern annually; in the coldest parts of the year and making the events seem significant when they happen during the spring equinox, because a day as long as the night doesn't happen often.
* As i have explained beforehand; the darkness/dead of night, is generally the part of the day characters will sleep, and are oblivious to the surrounding which might not be. The darkness of the night time is a weakness for characters up against immortal presences, and a strength for fearless, unearthly beings...spooky!
* The bright moon shining over all, watching over all, like a bright eye shining. The equinox is , extraordinary, substantial, and symmetrical.-symetry in nature, like this, may appeal to some readers, they might like the coincidence involved.
* The moon is always shining brighty- again all the bizarre occurences seem to happen at night. It means it was well lit, but casts an illuminate glow all around and long shadows- changing the aspect of a normal scene to something less comfortable.
The story's 'main incidents' cannot be inspected by the characters or readers by observation in close, short periods of time because the story is set spread across a number of dates, which builds tension, because waiting for the incidents makes them stand out and are more effective. As each event is memorable, they build up gradually to a surprise climax and this style makes the story seem somehow more realistic/less far-fetched.
The fact that a story being told in the third person and not by someone in the story, has quite a dooming affect, as it makes the reader think that the characters could have taken a turn for the worst under strange circumstances and their lives may have ended mysteriously...
The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb by Sir Arthur Doyle: The style of writing is; not so much mystery as full of perplexing vengence, fashioned by the villainous character. And is also very descriptive and in older english. For example; 'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' the way the story was being told to characters within the story, almost made it just that; just a story, as if it weren't real. This made it quite comforting, in a way, and just chilling in the curious parts...
The Signalman by Charles Dickens. The style of writing: the writer's intention for this story was for it to be about supernatural manipulation and they use older english for example; 'Halloa! Below there!', '...he turned himself about again.', and'..one would have thought..' The author set the story in an era over 100 years ago, and by the use of language (and how characters communicated) he made the era, which the story existed, clear.
Lost Hearts by M. R. James. The style of writing is; supernatural, savage revenge, in the third person and very detailed in the setting description: 'The little boy, who was the only passenger in the chaise, and who jumped out as soon as it had stopped, looked about him with the keenest curiosity during the short interval that elapsed between the ringing of the bell and the opening off the hall door. He saw a tall, square, red-brick house, built in the reign of Anne; a stone pillored porch had been added in the purer classical style of 1790; the windows of the house were many, tall and narrow, with small panes and thick white woodwork.' -giving a detailed description in setting the scenes out for the reader draws them in.
The Judges House by Bram Stoker. The style of writing is; unfathomable, and ferocious, in the third person and past tense. This suggests to the reader/gives them a reason to be suspisious of the sequel of events that have affected any characters involved; what has happened to them? Why aren't they telling the story? Did they survive this tale? There are alot of exclamation marks, and the decriptions of the settings are detailed. As the main character has quite an anti-social manner, he isolates himself on purpose in a house, which the writer has described as mysterious in detail. The incidents actually don't happen over a very long space of time. But as this character is alone in this big, empty, dark house, the little incidents take their toll on him, and make a pattern.
The Phantom Coach by Amelia B. Edwards. the style of writing is; supernatural and incomprehesible, in the first person and future tense; although the reader already acknowledges that the victim of their story has survived to tell it, therefore whatever they are being told has already happened, which is slightly comforting.
The following characters I believe, really contributed to the story's themes', therefore the story's success from the readers point of view.
The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb by Sir Arthur Doyle (1892)
Dr. Watson
By the story suddenly beginning, it became immediately intriguing to me and I was already caught up in where the story would escape to. Dr. Watson introduces the story, although he doesn't tell the reader his identity at first. The narrator is Dr. Watson and is telling the story in the first person because he is a main character to the story. He expects the reader to have read previous stories, but to engage with the them, Dr Watson tells the story, (in first person), after a personal introduction of Sherlock Holmes and himself, making the reader feel included and thus hopefully/perhaps makes the reader curious to read on.
'T'was the Summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the events occured which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to civil practice, and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Street rooms, although I continually visited him and ocassionally even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come and visit us...' 'T'was the Summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the events occured which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to civil practice, and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Street rooms, although I continually visited him and ocassionally even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come and visit us...' -Only after a couple of paragraphs are you suddenly aware that he has begun the story, because he slightly drags out long sentences, describing who he and Sherlock Holmes are, and events in their lives which he recalls leading up to happening at the same time as the case. ' By the story begining suddenly/unexpectantly, it became immediately intriguing to me and I was already caught up in where the story would escape to.
He confidently predicts what sherlock holmes will be doing when he visits him in his home, which says alot about their investigation/detective partnership, they have a more friendly relationship than a proffesional one. i think fashioning/applying/proving/showing/revealing characters personalitys and relationships, how they interact together and what they care about in their lives brings out a slight weakness, because vilians can use this to stir and play with emotions, which brings the vengence aspect to the story, therefore interests readers.
Mr Victor Hatherley, hydraulic engineer, orphan, bachelor, alone residing in London. This man is isolated from the world, to the reader he has only himself in a sense that he has not clarified whether he has other family connections or anyone he is intimate with to depend on.
:- "you must know,'said he, 'that i am an orphan and a bachelor, residing alone in the lodgings in london. Two years ago, having served my time of the hydraulic engineer proffession, and having also come into a fair sum of money through my poor fathers death, i determined to start a business for myself, and took professional chambers in victoria street. i suppose that everyone finds his first independant start in business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. During two years i have had three consultations and one small job, and that is absolutely all that my proffession has brought me. My gross takings amount to twenty-seven pounds ten. Every day, from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, i waited in my little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and i came to believe that i should never have any practice at all."
In my opinion, the reason he accepts the job offer, although he has aknowledged/he is aware of the suspisious terms/circumstances, because he seems to be in a desperate stage in his life. The reader may have the opinion that he is vunerable, but after reading through to the end, the reader learns he has the courage, (or maybe desperation), to escape a definite life or death situation.
"...I walked across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the countryside, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began to steal over me. Who were these german people? And what were they doing, living in this strange, out-of-way place? And where was this place?"
Colonel Lysander Stark/Colonel Warburton's
The first appearance of the colonel will make the reader suspisious about him, as his manner and behaviour are rather unusual. (mr hatherley)- 'I do not think I have ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into the nose and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over his outstanding bones.'
(The colonel)-'Well, perhaps it is better that i should not tell you just at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both an orphan and a bachelor, and are residing alone in london. You have been recommended to me, mr hatherley, as being a man who is not only proficient in his proffession, but is also discreet and capable of preserving a secret."
'The 'vilian' is a strange german, and stresses mysteriously that everything about him must be confidential and anonamus. By repeating 'secret' over and over again builds a tension/uneasiness. What does he have to hide? What is he capable and...moreover if the other man cannot remain reliable of keeping 'the secret', what is his fate/what are the reprecautions? And how does this man have responsibility to keep it just so? Are these reasons to presume that/to become wary of him being a sinister character?
And The Beautiful, Mysterious Woman
She doesn't tell her name. she adds suspense. she wants the reader to feel cautious. 'The woman was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few whispered words of broken english at me, her eyes glancing back, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her.' She urges him not to stay, and warns him to leave before it is too late. The reader is eager to know what this woman is terrified about, and why it will affect the main character.
Lost Hearts
Master stephen elliot
He is an orphan of 12 years of age.
He is brave and confident;
'Stephen suddenly asked questions with the peculiar confidence which children possess in the ability of their elders to settle their curiousity in questions'
'With a courage which i do not think can be common among boys of his age, he went to the door of the bathroom to ascertain if the figure of his dreams were really there.'
Readers like the idea in the inocence of children, and realise how vunerable they are; without the years of wisedom and need nurturing and reasuring, so readers may become attached to characters who are children, and not want anything to happen to them.
Mr abney
The readers' are informed of mr abney's reputation for being a generous man, but he is also described as having a temper, which he is not known for. Wonder how mr abney had ever heard of having a younger cousin such as master elliot, and this makes you weary of what his intentions are and what he is capable of. Is he related at all? He adopted 2 children, coincidently the same age, who disappeared and were the age of master elliot.
'Now, owing to the generous offer of his elderly cousin, mr abney, he had come to live at aswarby. The offer was unexpected, because all who knew anything of mr abney looked upon him as a somewhat austere recluse, into whose steady-going household the advent of a small boy would import a new and, it seemed, incongruous element. The truth is that very little was known of mr abney's persuits or temper.' Why has the author told us this? This makes the reader suspisious of him, and has added suspense also.
The Judges House by Bram Stoker
Malcolm Malcomson
He is strong minded;
'But my dear mrs witham, indeed you need not be concerned about me! A man who is reading for the mathematical tripos has too much to think of to be disturbed by any of these 'somethings' and his work is of too exact and prossaic a kind to allow of his having any corner in his mind for mysteries of any kind.'
I think the author invented this character because they wanted to suggest that even the most skeptical of people might be worn down by paranoia, let go of their beliefs and become afraid, in the event of accounting supernatural phenomenon.
Mrs Witham
This charactor is caring and was invented to 'spook' the audience; ''not in the judge's house!' she said, and grew pale as she spoke. 'it is too bad of me sir and you-and a young gentleman, too-if you will pardon me saying it, going to live there all alone. If you were my boy-and you'll excuse me for saying it-you wouldn't sleep there a night, not if i had to go there myself and pull the big alarm bell thats on the roof' She warns malcolm of the house with disturbing talk of it.
The phantom coach by amelia. b. edwards
The anonomous old man
This character is interesting, and both james and reades' will be curious about his lifestyle. James murray recalls, 'he talked, and i listened spellbound. He talked till i believe he almost forgot my presence, and only thought aloud. I have never heard anything like it then; i have never heard anything like it since. He spoke of the soul and its aspirations; of the spirit and its powers; of second sight; of prophecy; of those phenomena which, under the names of ghosts, spectres, and supernatural appearances, have been denied by the sceptics and attested by the credulous, of all ages.' 'the world' (dramatic pause) he said, 'grows hourly more and more sceptical' 'these things happened just three-and twenty years ago. Since then, i have lived as you see me living now, and the world has forgotten me, as i have forgotten the world'(like it regected him/betrayed him like getting over a love)... 'you have my history.'
why has he chosen to live so 'privately'? His out of this world esq speech; is very curious...is this the reason why he lives in a bubble? Was he one of those in that phantom coach? What is his history really? He does not want to give anything away, but he wants to release his unlimited wisdom, accumilated over a lonely period of time> where has it come from? he speaks with such passion about it! he must have had some sort of experience, because such a grumpy old man would, i presume, be a more skeptical (view/opinion) type personality. Did his branching out with his knowlege of the supernatural become more literate? Did he want someone else to experience his knowlege...literally, whatever happened to him-let happen to someone else vunerable to what he has to say. Let james inheret this and pass his beliefs along. Does he regret chosing his lifestyle? He suggests the late night vehicle, were his intentions genuine? Or did he know james would get misled; aka the phantom coach?
James murray barrister at law...
This is main character and narator throughout the story which he tells as his ordeal. He is lost in the coldest part of the country in the coldest part of the year.
'as for me, my prospects darkened with the darkening sky, and my heart grew heavy as t thought how my young wife was already watching for me through the window of our little inn parlour, and thought of all the suffering in store for her throughout this weary night. This morning, when we parted, she had implored me to return before dusk, and i had promised her that i would. What would i not have not given to have kept my word.'
His wife motivates him in his quest to get home to stop her worrying about his safety; if he will come home in the darkness over such a long distance without the weather on his side. He would attempt to endure anything in order to return to his wife, endure anything in the weather and perhaps this could bring danger upon him. By telling the reader his inner-thoughts, fears and describing his feelings and determination, they feel involved, like they are a part of the story too. He insists people should believe what happened to him, although he can't quite believe it himself.
Endings
1
(The curious incident happened in an area I am familiar with, which kept my interest: namely- Reading.)
This story ends in mysterious circumstances, leaving loose ends and questions unanswered. What was the villian up to? What was this big secret worth, to cost a mans life? But you do discover exactly what type of person he german was. Personally i had no idea what that machine was, although it was described from the inside and was capable of trapping and killing a man. There is no 'happily-ever-after' ending, because the villian escapes! This made me feel annoyed because there wasnt justice, although his victim (and story-teller) escapes death with the help of anonomous heros. His thumb was left behind. He is alive. The villian is free and available to manipulate people ruthelessly to get what he wants from them. He gets away with his actions and leaves the damage behind, and thats what made the story feel realistic, life isn't fair, and its not a cliche.
These quotes give the story a definite sense of being finished:
... for from that day to this word has ever been heard...
... remained forever a mystery... ...on the whole...
2
This story confused me from the begining, really, because i wasn't sure who was who. the ending did not satisfy me as a reader, mostly because we don't find out anything about the spector; why is it there? who was it? But i did like the signalman being killed (!), just like the prophecy had warned-which the reader would definitely remember being repeated from the begining of the story, this made an effective twist.
These quotes give the story a definite sense of being finished:
...in closing it... ...without prolonging the narative to dwell on any one of its curious circumstances... ...he had imitated...
3
This story has my favourite ending of the five stories!
In my eyes, i saw the ending as the two 'disappeared' orphans saved stephen from his elderly cousins intentions for him, by uniting both their strong vengences (at seeking their revenge) upon the villain, those poor children get justice in their 'unfinished bussiness'! It was very 'patterned' in the time of year and the age of the children that were 'generously' adopted, only to use them as gerbils' in his sick experiments! As the truth about the mysterious happenings, (involving the children which he decided to play god with), and the horrifying truth hidden over decades is unleashed in the record-book, laying in front of mr abney, 'with his head thrown back, his face stamped with an expression of rage, fright, and mortal pain in his left side was a terrible lacerated wound, exposing his heart.' This was the result of the vengence of the children giving him a taste of his own medicine. I liked that the innocent souls saved innocent stephen from death (as a reader will become attached to the characters), and how the climax was written like a report and not in any of the characters point of view, was effective because...
These quotes give the story a definite sense of being finished:
...conclusion... ...on the table in mr abneys study certain papers were found which explained the situation to stephen elliot when he was of an age to understand them'...
4
The reader finds out what happens to malcolmson at the same time as when the neighbours do; when they assembled at the sound of the alarm bell sounded ...which had been pulled by the weight of his body, with the bells' rope-noosed around his neck. This ending is quite far-fetched because the judges spirit has taken the form of a rat, who has somehow, maraculously, marked his terratory; his house, then the rat magically transforms into a human/ghost, whom has the power to change the expressions in photos... , by building the tension/suspense really slowly throughout there isnt as big a climax as the story has led us to believe. I will, however, give credit to the writer for the big dramatic discovery and the conclusion, with the welcome the crowd of people recieve.
...'they knocked loudly at the door, but there was no reply. Then burst in the door, and poured into the great dining-room'...only to discover the only person home has been hung from the ceiling... by a rat.
5
As this story was told in first person, there was nothing that made it obvious of it coming to an end. And judging from the fact that he was living to tell the story, means it has a positive ending, which leaves the reader feeling puzzled, although some may have prefered a more shocking ending.
Being so completely petrified the character surrenders to his fears and attempts to escape the phantom coach, which he had witnessed something so unbelievably terrifying, they felt they would rather commit suicide than let 'it' get them.
These quote(s) give the story a definite sense of being finished:
'...i will pass over the scene that ensued...''... the place of my fall, i need scarcelly say, was precicely that at which a frightful accident had happened to the north mail nine years before...''...others may form what conclusions they please-i know that twenty years ago i was the fouurth inside passenger in th phantom coach...'
