Predictability of Surprise
Keeping the reader interested in a literary work has been the main focus of all authors who have written a novel. Several things may contribute to weather a reader is interested and absorbed in a novel. Although many other techniques are used, the elements of predictability and surprise are frequently used to effectively sustain a reader’s interest. The effectiveness of using both predictability and surprise in a literary work can be easily seen in The Death of Ivan Ilyich, by Leo Tolstoy, and The Makioka Sisters, by Junichiro Tanizaki.
The element of predictability is not as valued by amateur writers, but is equally important in sustaining the reader’s interest. The element of surprise is nothing without the reader’s confidence in his or her own predictions to a story’s outcome. This confidence in the reader can only be achieved through its progress over time by predictability throughout the novel. Leo Tolstoy foreshadows the style and quality of Ivan Ilyich’s life by first showing the reader Ilyich’s funeral. He allows the reader to find out that Ivan was not cared for by the people around him, yet he was also revered and respected by those who were associated with him. This leaves the reader to conclude that Ilyich was obsessed with business and had not developed a truly loving relationship with anyone, including his wife. Tolstoy then uses the reader’s assumptions about Ivan Ilyich to create a seemingly predictable storyline about his life and death. Tolstoy can then take advantage of the reader’s confidence in his or her own to fully utilize the effects of surprise. Junichiro Tanizaki sets up the surprises in The Makioka Sisters with the actualization for predictable outcomes. Tanizaki also provides hints and/or clues to help the reader anticipate the outcomes. Taeko’s final split from Okubata is foreshadowed by the delay of their marriage as well as by Taeko’s own words to Sachiko about her feelings toward Kei-Boy. This will have the reader foretell that Taeko will never get married to Okubata ever since he changed throughout the novel. Tanizaki also uses predictability when the cherry blossoms bloom every year. When they do bloom than the Makioka sisters will usually come together for an important event in the novel. Both Tolstoy and Tanizaki have utilized predictability suitably in these ways.
