How does HG Wells build up an atmosphere of fear and show the young man reduced from self-assurance to panic and terror?The title of the story I will look at in this assignment is ÃÂThe Red RoomÃÂ by HG Wells. It is a ghost story, written in 1896. HG Wells uses elements from the gothic genre to enhance the sinister atmosphere in the story. ÃÂThe Red RoomÃÂ is written in first person, this enables the reader to experience the story through the protagonistÃÂs perspective. I am going to examine how HG Wells builds up an atmosphere of fear and tension during the story, and shows the young man reduced from self assurance to panic and terror.
HG Wells uses the very first sentences to establish that ÃÂThe Red RoomÃÂ is a ghost story. ÃÂIt will take a very tangible ghost to frighten meÃÂ this shows the reader that straight away there is something unnatural about the story, and it attracts the readerÃÂs attention.
The old people in the story, the ÃÂgrotesque custodiansÃÂ, talk about the red room, and the woman gives it a mysterious feel, by saying ÃÂThis night of all nightsÃÂ. This suggests that there is something different and sinister about this night, but more detail is never given. This leaves the reader in suspense. The manÃÂs self confidence is shown through his attitude towards the old people. He assumes that if there were such a thing as a ghost he would have come across one in his life. This arrogance is picked up by the woman, who gives him a warning, when she says ÃÂThereÃÂs a many things to see when oneÃÂs but eight and twenty, a many things to see and sorrow for.ÃÂ She tries to hint to him that...