How Do You Think Hill Creates Sympathy for the Character of Arthur?

435 Words2 Pages
Susan Hill the author of “The Woman in Black” successfully creates a clear understanding of sympathy to the reader through the character of Author Kipps, a junior solicitor and ghost non-believer. Sympathy is explored throughout the book using a variety of devices which results in the reader empathising with the characters in the book. To investigate how Hill connects with the reader to create sympathy, language, form and structural devices will be analysed to show how hill creates the intended effect of sympathy. Mr Kipps the main character in “The Woman in Black” is viewed as young, optimistic and mature but views himself as “a sturdy, commonsensical fellow” who “did not believe in ghosts.” The reader begins to understand this when Arthur has an unsettled reaction to the ghost story telling at the beginning of the novel which creates a sense of mystery, Kipps states “i was trying to suppress my mounting unease, to hold back the rising flood of memory.” This builds the beginning of suspense for the reader as they are intrigued to find out Kippses past memory but the word unease creates the first sign of sympathy for Arthur this affects how the rest of the novel is understood as parts of the story is unknown creating a tension between the character and reader. Arthur Kipps is summoned to attend a funeral of the late Alice Drablow but discovers the tragic secrets of Eel marsh house which stands at the end of the causeway. As the novel progresses the reader is aware of the woman in black as the description builds the imagery in the readers mind. The appearance to the woman in black to Kipps has a strong effect on the reader as they find they are engaged to the following events. Mr Kipps during the first official appearance of the woman in black states “I had become paralysed” The word paralysed is normally associated with being incapable or unable to think or act
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