The narrator in the 'Signalman' is a man of rationality who scientifically analyses the railroad employee like a doctor would a patient. He scrutinises the Signalman in a cold analytical way, which shows how he tries to dismiss these inexplicable stories with logical reasons. "Originating in disease of the delicate nerves that...
In the ‘Monkey’s Paw’ introduces four main characters are a family called the Whites and Sergeant-Major Morris. Short stories do not give a length description on characters but this adds suspense to the air and leaves the reader to make assumptions. The Sergeant-Major Morris likes to be the centre of attention a lot in the story. He is said to have ‘beady eyes’ which makes him seem suspicious. Also he comes across as a bit melodramatic when he chucks the Monkey’s Paw into the fire. The paw is magical, allowing three men three wishes each. Jacobs uses foreshadowing, imagery and symbolism in this story to explore the consequences of tempting fate. His careful, economical creation of setting and atmosphere add suspense to the tale, while his use of dialogue and slang readers to feel that the characters are genuine.
In the ‘Signalman’ it identifies two main characters, the ‘Signalman’ and the narrator. In the story, it tells us that the Signalman is ‘dark, heavyset man with a swallow completion. It is showing instantly that the Signalman is not ordinary and his actions
are eccentric, for example when the narrator calls to him ‘Halloa below there’ he looks down the line instead of up where the voice came from. The Signalman’s job is to ‘change that signal, to trim those lights, and to turn this iron handle now and then’. This is what he does for a living and his ‘routine of his life’. The narrator is able to communicate easily with the Signalman, and it’s through the narrator that we see insight into the Signalman’s state of mind. In this story, it never exposed what caused the various deaths on the line, regardless of a common pattern of events. Something has happened, but the reason for it is left open to interpretation.
In the “Napoleon and the Spectre”, Bronte, the romantic writer basis her short story on a famous emperor called Napoleon Bonaparte. The story begins with exploit of Napoleon lying in his bed and ends with his statue of complete confusion as he drifts between the worlds of wakefulness and sleep, of reality and the supernatural. In mystery writing, sleeping is mainly used. This is because it is the obvious place where the world of reality and that dreams will collide. He is frightened by the noise of a ‘deep groan’ from within his apartments. His fear quickly subsides but then this is followed up by the appearance of a ‘black opaque shadow’ which leaves him ‘Sweating in terror’. In the story Napoleon comes in to contact with a strange supernatural creature that persuades him and takes him on a deeply strange visit of the streets of Paris. Napoleon allows himself
to be taken on this visit due to his courageousness and the fact that the ghost exerts a power over him.
Fear is used in this story as a key emotion. As it is set at night, this is symbolising evil to approach. Bronte heavily describes the image with ‘eyes all gazed and bloodshot’ and shows this with ‘frightful prominence’. This is showing fear in the story. Ghosts appear for many reasons in mystery stories but mainly to represent some unfinished business. It could also mean, in this story that Napoleon is feeling a sense of guilt. Bronte allows the story to be left open for readers to feel their own imagination. However, it is shown in the story, which Napoleon asks where ‘Piche’ has gone. Pichegru was a French general whose murder was ordered by Napoleon, so it may be that ‘Pice’ is the name of the spectre.
All three stories contain magical, supernatural events, and they all create tension and the feeling of the unknown. In the ‘Signalman’ it is convince that that supernatural exists. This is because the words ‘Halloa Below There’ are the words he is frightened of and are the first words of the story and the fact that the Signalman looks down into the tunnel makes you wonder what is wrong with him. He also continuously stares at the ‘red light’ at the end of the tunnel waiting for the appearance of the ghost he has been ‘troubled’ by twice. The Signalman believes he is being haunted by someone as the ghost that keeps appearing always starts with saying ‘Halloa Below There’. This makes the reader think who if this is his conscience.
The ‘Monkey’s Paw’ is a story based on a magical paw that is put on power by an Indian fakir who wants to prove that ‘fate ruled people’s lives’ and that those who don’t believe this or interfere with it did so to their own sorrow. Mr Whites wish came true with the tragic death on his son bringing him money due to his wish. Although the wish came true it happened so naturally leaving the reader questioning whether it’s a coincidence or superstition. Also Mrs White turns into a barmy woman who
relies completely on the paw to make her son come back alive; this shows how powerful the paw actually is.
The ‘Napoleon and the spectre’ uses wakefulness and sleep of reality and the supernatural in the story. He combines them all together and only includes detail that is needed to the stories purpose. The story also concentrates on the physical imagery of the ghost.
All three stories show elements of mysteries, magic and the unknown. The mysteries are used my supernatural events in each story. Leaving the stories unsolved make the stories more interesting and mysterious and also leave the reader with something to think about and wanting to know more.