Pre twentieth Century Prose coursework essay
The Clubfooted Grocer by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
How does the author add mystery and suspense in this story?
Introduction: The Clubfooted Grocer by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is an intriguing story about John, Mr. Stephen Maple's nephew, who goes to visit his long lost uncle, who is Mr. Stephen Maple. However, throughout the Prose, a lot of mystery and suspense is added through a series of strange and mysterious events. The pre twentieth language adds to the suspense and mystery and suspense. The main bit that adds suspense and mystery are the describing words used to describe the settings and characters used in this Prose. This gives us a visual image of the environments and characters and their traits.
How the suspense was added (with examples and quotes)
Events 1-3
The first strange thing that happens in this Prose is that we find out that Mr. Maple is doing illegal trading for his regular customers, we find this out by the quote "Does a curious mixed business". The word curious tells us that his business is not legal. The main event is when Mr. Maple is viscously attacked by a customer and suffers a broken leg, three broken ribs and a leg three inches shorter than the other. The suspect serves fifteen years penal servitude and Mr. Maple moves to the lonely part of Northern England. Mr. Maple's nephew, John, receives a letter from Mr. Maple asking John to visit him, even though Mr. Maple never visited his brothers' funeral and did anything for anyone else in the family. The letter says, "On no account let John get out at Congleton". This adds mystery because Mr. Maple is making it very clear that he doesn't want John to stop somewhere (Congleton), like Mr. Maple is hiding something. Mr. Maple also mentions in the letter to bring a gun (quote: "Let John bring gun"). This adds suspense because this makes us think that Mr. Maple needs protection, but we don't know why, which makes us think that. Another main event is when John is travelling on a carriage with a shepherd, they are run off by a pirate for no apparent reason. The quote "Sorry to stop you" tells us this. Then, a telegram, not letter arrives, saying "For I have very strong reasons for wishing him to be with me". Mr. Maple then says get out at Congleton, not Stedding Bridge, which was his primary destination with no reason, which leaves us wondering - why? The last phrase in the telegram is very mysterious, Mr. Maple says "Only you to look to", and meaning Mr. Maple only has John as his help for the trouble Mr. Maple is involved in.
The Clubfooted Grocer by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
How does the author add mystery and suspense in this story?
Introduction: The Clubfooted Grocer by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is an intriguing story about John, Mr. Stephen Maple's nephew, who goes to visit his long lost uncle, who is Mr. Stephen Maple. However, throughout the Prose, a lot of mystery and suspense is added through a series of strange and mysterious events. The pre twentieth language adds to the suspense and mystery and suspense. The main bit that adds suspense and mystery are the describing words used to describe the settings and characters used in this Prose. This gives us a visual image of the environments and characters and their traits.
How the suspense was added (with examples and quotes)
Events 1-3
The first strange thing that happens in this Prose is that we find out that Mr. Maple is doing illegal trading for his regular customers, we find this out by the quote "Does a curious mixed business". The word curious tells us that his business is not legal. The main event is when Mr. Maple is viscously attacked by a customer and suffers a broken leg, three broken ribs and a leg three inches shorter than the other. The suspect serves fifteen years penal servitude and Mr. Maple moves to the lonely part of Northern England. Mr. Maple's nephew, John, receives a letter from Mr. Maple asking John to visit him, even though Mr. Maple never visited his brothers' funeral and did anything for anyone else in the family. The letter says, "On no account let John get out at Congleton". This adds mystery because Mr. Maple is making it very clear that he doesn't want John to stop somewhere (Congleton), like Mr. Maple is hiding something. Mr. Maple also mentions in the letter to bring a gun (quote: "Let John bring gun"). This adds suspense because this makes us think that Mr. Maple needs protection, but we don't know why, which makes us think that. Another main event is when John is travelling on a carriage with a shepherd, they are run off by a pirate for no apparent reason. The quote "Sorry to stop you" tells us this. Then, a telegram, not letter arrives, saying "For I have very strong reasons for wishing him to be with me". Mr. Maple then says get out at Congleton, not Stedding Bridge, which was his primary destination with no reason, which leaves us wondering - why? The last phrase in the telegram is very mysterious, Mr. Maple says "Only you to look to", and meaning Mr. Maple only has John as his help for the trouble Mr. Maple is involved in.
