What were the implications of the title of the story, what is unexpected to the reader, to each of the characters.

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What were the implications of the title of the story, what is unexpected to the reader, to each of the characters.

When you hear the title the unexpected you think what is unexpected. When you read on you are waiting for something to happen, this brings suspense because you are always on the edge of the chair waiting for the 'unexpected'.

        Before the unexpected thing happens the writer shows the love and compassion between Dorothea and Randall. This is shown by quotes like ' The good bye dragging with lingering kisses and sighs'. This is preparing the reader for the contradiction which is going to happen later.

        When Randall leaves at the beginning of the story Dorothea is very upset that he has to go. ' Left his Dorothea', in this you can see that Randall sees Dorothea as his own.  'The parting was bitter', they dint want to leave each other.

        The first unexpected thing for the reader is when they read the following ' He did not return at the close of the month; he was delayed by illness'. The reason why this comes unexpected is because the first paragraph creates a cover for the rest of the page. The first paragraph has Randall and Dorothea getting on very well and kissing, they are happy. This news is the opposite to the first paragraph though because it is very sad news. Another thing which made the illness feel unexpected is because it is in the third paragraph of the story. When you read most stories it takes 2-3 pages to get into the main plot, this story got into the main plot within a couple of paragraphs, you just are not ready for this action.

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        The way that Dorothea looks at Randall when he has his Illness is also unexpected. 'She expected to see him ill and wasted; she would not seem shocked; she would not let him see astonishment or pain in her face. She was in a quiver of anticipation, a sensuous fever of expectancy till he came', this is how she said she would react when she sees Randall; she does not act like this when she sees him. When she sees him she acts in the following way ' She stared at him as on might look upon a curious ...

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