The Woman in Black Is Narrated by Kipps, What Is the Effect of This in the First Four Chapters?

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Susan Hills technique which allows the main character to tell his story is very effective because he reveals his character through his words and actions. He is aware of his shortcomings as a young man and reflects on his own actions. By presenting Kipps in this way the reader can identify with his experiences and share his fears as a terrible period as his life is relived. In the first chapter Kipps appears to have everything a middle aged man could want - a happy family, a beautiful house, a 'dear' wife and plenty of money. This is illustrated at Christmas time in order to exaggerate his domestic bliss. This is in contrast to a period 16 years earlier when he was 'prone to nervous illness and conditions' as a result of the experiences he is going to write about. In his early twenties Kipps worked in a London chambers for Mr Bentley. He was young, confident, energetic and impatient so when the opportunity to escape 'the dull details of the conveyancing' arose he welcomed it. Hill uses Kipps as the narrator to describe himself and telling the story from his perspective to create an atmosphere the reader might be frightened by. At this point in the novel there had been no suffereing in his life thay he took for granted. 'My parents were both alive. I had one brother, good many friends and my fiance Stella. I was still a young man'. By having Kipps narrate this helps the reader cinnect with him and share his persinal experience increasing the intensity of the novel. Susan Hill adds depth to the character by the way she intergrates comments by the older Kipps on his own behaviour. This is clear in 'the journey north (3)' : Kipps is excited by his task and embarks on his journey to Crythin Gifford with enthusiasm. He soon becomes tired and although he is reluctant to talk to Samuel Daily he wishes ti appear important, he folds his newspaper 'with a certain
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