How Does The Writer Create Atmosphere In The Novel The Woman In Black E

How Does The Writer Create Atmosphere In The Novel The Woman In Black and the Short Story The Signalman? "The Woman In Black" and "The Signalman" are both of the same genre horror/ghost stories. This genre is ideal to create a distinct atmosphere for the reader to be drawn into. The atmosphere the author creates for the reader is done so by mainly 2 things. Firstly, the characters, descriptions of supernatural presence, disbelief of the character or narrator and their uncertainty or confusion of conflict. Secondly, the setting, the type of setting chosen is very important and the way in which the author describes it also. When we pick up either of these stories we come to expect certain features from this genre. Both ghost stories have a derelict and isolated setting, very common in a ghost story. Also, many points are set in dark and enclosed spaces, where there is an inability to see clearly. Descriptions are used a lot, especially descriptions of darkness, strangeness and coldness. In both stories, there is a "supernatural presence" that is for the most part unexplained, but is something the narrator can both see and hear. There may be a sense of evil, or the manifestation us one of unrest. It is up to the reader to work out the story surrounding the unnatural presence-sometimes at the same time as the narrator if things are withheld from us. An atmosphere of unrest, either from the supernatural presence, or the discomfort from main characters, the narrator and even the reader is created. The setting creates an atmosphere of isolation and coldness. The emphasis on darkness and enclosure creates an atmosphere of unrest and confusion for the reader as well as the narrator. The atmosphere of ghostlin... ...k" and the short story "The Signalman", as well as both being of the same genre, they also have other similarities. They both include a spectre within the story and this is what the stories are based around. "The Signalman" introduces not only ghostliness but also death and mourning, this is similar to "The Woman In Black" when the child dies and Arthur Kipps hears horrifying cries. They both have terrible reactions when a death is involved. The Signalman feels he is in some way drawn into the main event, as does Arthur Kipps in the novel. The Signalman has to experience a death, which is torturous to him, but he cannot stop it, as does Arthur in "The Woman In Black". As for the atmosphere in both these stories, the emphasis on the descriptions of darkness, of the setting and of the characters emotions and this helps the reader to feel what is going on.