Therefore atmosphere is important in Susan Hill’s novel. There is one other suspense technique used in this passage however. Hill effectively uses short sentences to build up suspense and make the story engaging.
Short sentences are also used when Arthur Kidd is talking to Mr. Daily after seeing the Woman in Black at Eel Marsh house. He has changed since taking the job from Mr. Bentley yet is still adamant that he will complete it. However, though Arthur seems less perturbed on the
outside, when he is speaking to Samuel Daily he is really asking him to come with him to complete the job in Eel Marsh house.
“You shouldn’t go there.”
“I’m afraid I’m going.”
“You shouldn’t go there alone.”
“I can find no one to go with me.”
“No,” he said, “and you would not.” (Chapter 8)
Unfortunately Mr. Daily knows more than enough about Mrs. Drablow’s old house and the ghost that haunts it than to go there with someone he has known for only a few days. Also it seems that he is holding some key information about something back from Arthur Kidd, who, up to this point has only heard hints and rumors but know the build up takes to a new level as he is asked not to visit the house again. The interesting thing about what he has seen is that he doesn’t know what to think of the Woman in Black. This makes the writing engaging and builds up the atmosphere, as the reader and Arthur don’t know what to expect next. Thus creating suspense and building up interest in the story.
I could not answer because, yes, that had been worse, far worse, not least because I had only heard not seen… (Chapter 8)
This is demonstrating the supernatural power radiating from the Woman in Black.
Supernatural power also overwhelms Arthur Kidd when the power and lights go out and he senses something pass him in the corridor. Now he is far from the warm fire of Mr. Daily’s living room. He is in a large isolated house in the middle of the Marshes. Susan Hill uses several questions together to create suspense and atmosphere here.
Perhaps it was the Woman in Black? Had Mrs. Drablow harbored some reclusive old sister or retainer? Had she left behind her a mad friend that know one had known about? (Chapter 10)
These questions demonstrate the unknown for both Arthur and the reader, and by using the first person you feel that you are almost in Arthur’s place. Again it is the unknown that is scary, yet as single events they are very little; having no light; a door that was apparently locked is know open. In this passage there are also numerous adjectives describing the unknown, also adding wild possibilities and irrational explanations to aid the despairing feeling you get when you cannot put a reason on some event that has taken place. Even the simplest of tasks in getting light in the form of a torch was difficult.
…I groped my way back across to my bed, reached over it and got my hand to the torch at last, took a step back, stumbled over the dog who was at my heels and dropped the torch. (Chapter 10)
All this just adds to the overall effect that Hill has created around Eel Marsh House and The Woman in Black. That was the last time Mr. Kidd went to the house, the supernatural had won in a way, although there was no physical damage done to Arthur. However in most ways mental damage is more scary and dangerous than physical. Thus making the atmosphere more engaging for the reader. He does manage to pull himself together and get out of the house and latter has a last talk with Mr. Daily.
From the air that Mr. Daily takes at the start of the conversation you can tell something is on his wrong. He appears slightly preoccupied and even worried.
He did not answer, but leaned forward and poured himself another small tot of whiskey. ( Chapter 11)
From these actions you can tell that he is contemplating something worrying and needs another alcoholic drink to calm his nerves. This draws your attention and makes you wonder what could possibly be so drastically wrong. It seems that Arthur too is growing restless with being kept out of the big secret. But again the information that he wants to know is dragged out as if Mr. Daily was reluctant to tell it. Words that don’t confirm anything are used to say that something is wrong.
“Perhaps she did not…No, not you maybe….” (Chapter 11)
Finally Arthur can take it no longer and he exclaims, “For Gods sake, what is it you are holding back?” Then the story or the facts come out. The reader feels the same as Arthur in that now you aren’t sure whether it is best to know. This builds up tension and apprehension greatly into a crescendo, as the truth is unfolded. At first the inclination is to think that this is just another tale about the house, until you picture the stern face of Mr. Daily. This is the same with Arthur.
“But surely, well, children sometimes die….I do not doubt, Mr. Daily.” (Chapter 11)
This heightens concern and the atmosphere of suspense, tension and atmosphere redoubles as this the reader can relate to, unlike supernatural events. This proves that atmosphere is one of the most important things in Susan Hill’s novel, The Woman in Black.
Lastly as the reader and Arthur begin to feel relieved that the worst is over, that all the damage is caused there seems to be no real threat, no real suspense and the book appears to be winding down. It is then and the timing of the incident is crucial that The Woman in Black strikes again.
They were almost back, the had almost reached me, I would retrieve them and then we would go… (Chapter 12)
Susan Hill uses words that again don’t confirm anything that alert your attention to what is about to happen. The twist is the reason that the reader gets engaged in the short build up and actual event. If that had happened in the middle of the story in would not have been nearly as engaging, but just as you were thinking of something else The Woman in Black grabs your attention with words such as “perhaps” and “almost” and the atmosphere built up around anything to do with the ghost of Janet Humfrye.
Thus Susan Hill has created engaging atmosphere by using many different methods in the novel, Woman in Black. The book is both scary and engaging as Arthur Kidd finds out the hard way about both Eel Marsh House and the fatal Woman in Black.
