Where is the tension here, select quotes.
I had forgotten to draw my curtain, which I usually did, and also to let down my window-blind. The consequence was, that when the moon, which was full and bright (for the night was fine), came in her course to that space in the sky opposite my casement, and looked in at me through the unveiled panes, her glorious gaze roused me. Awaking in the dead of night, I opened my eyes on her disk—silver-white and crystal clear. It was beautiful, but too solemn: I half rose, and stretched my arm to draw the curtain. Good God! What a cry! The night—its silence—its rest, was rent in twain by a savage, a sharp, a shrilly sound that ran from end to end of Thornfield Hall. My pulse stopped: my heart stood still; my stretched arm was paralysed. The cry died, and was not renewed. Indeed, whatever being uttered that fearful shriek could not soon repeat it: not the widest-winged condor on the Andes could, twice in succession, send out such a yell from the cloud shrouding his eyrie. The thing delivering such utterance must rest ere it could repeat the effort. It came out of the third storey; for it passed overhead. And overhead—yes, in the room just above my chamber-ceiling—I now heard a struggle: a deadly one it seemed from the noise; and a half-smothered voice shouted— “Help! help! help!” three times rapidly. “Will no one come?” it cried; and then, while the staggering and stamping went on wildly, I distinguished through plank and plaster:— “Rochester! Rochester! for God’s sake, come!” A chamber-door opened: some one ran, or rushed, along the gallery. Another step stamped on the flooring above and something fell; and there was silence. I had put on some clothes, though horror shook all my limbs; I issued from my apartment. The sleepers were all aroused: ejaculations, terrified murmurs sounded in every room; door after door unclosed; one looked out and another looked out; the gallery filled. Gentlemen and ladies alike had quitted their beds; and “Oh! what is it?”—“Who is hurt?”—“What has happened?”—“Fetch a light!”—“Is it fire?”—“Are there robbers?”—“Where shall we run?” was demanded confusedly on all hands. But for the moonlight they would have been in complete darkness. They ran to and fro; they crowded together: some sobbed, some stumbled: the confusion was inextricable. ~~~ No: stillness returned: each murmur and movement ceased gradually, and in about an hour Thornfield Hall was again as hushed as a desert. It seemed that sleep and night had resumed their empire. Meantime the moon declined: she was about to set. Not liking to sit in the cold and darkness, I thought I would lie down on my bed, dressed as I was. I left the window, and moved with little noise across the carpet; as I stooped to take off my shoes, a cautious hand tapped low at the door. “Am I wanted?” I asked. “Are you up?” asked the voice I expected to hear, viz., my master’s. “Yes, sir.”
The tension in this passage can be found in the following quotes:
- "The consequence was, that when the moon...looked in at me through the unveiled panes, her glorious gaze roused me."
- "My pulse stopped: my heart stood still; my stretched arm was paralysed."
- "The cry died, and was not renewed."
- "Indeed, whatever being uttered that fearful shriek could not soon repeat it."
- "I now heard a struggle: a deadly one it seemed from the noise; and a half-smothered voice shouted— 'Help! help! help!'"
- "A chamber-door opened: some one ran, or rushed, along the gallery. Another step stamped on the flooring above and something fell; and there was silence."
- "They ran to and fro; they crowded together: some sobbed, some stumbled: the confusion was inextricable."
- "No: stillness returned...and in about an hour Thornfield Hall was again as hushed as a desert."
- "Not liking to sit in the cold and darkness, I thought I would lie down on my bed, dressed as I was."
- "As I stooped to take off my shoes, a cautious hand tapped low at the door."
explain why
These quotes contribute to the tension in the passage because they depict a series of mysterious and alarming events occurring in Thornfield Hall.
The first quote describes the protagonist being startled awake by the moon's gaze, setting an uneasy tone.
The following quotes intensify the tension as the protagonist hears a terrifying scream that pierces the silence of the night, inducing paralysis and fear. They also reveal that the source of the scream is located on the third floor of the house.
As the struggle and cries for help continue, the tension heightens as the protagonist and the other inhabitants of Thornfield Hall become aware of the distress. The confusion, sobbing, and stumbling create an atmosphere of panic and uncertainty.
The silence that follows the struggle and the subsequent stillness contributes to a sense of unease and anticipation. It is unclear what has occurred and whether the threat has been resolved.
The final quote adds to the tension as the protagonist is approached by their master, raising questions about their involvement or knowledge of the events that transpired.
Overall, these quotes convey an escalating sense of danger and mystery, leaving the reader on edge and eager to uncover the truth behind the turmoil in Thornfield Hall.
Where is the tension in this:
“And dressed?” “Yes.” “Come out, then, quietly.” I obeyed. Mr. Rochester stood in the gallery holding a light. “I want you,” he said: “come this way: take your time, and make no noise.” My slippers were thin: I could walk the matted floor as softly as a cat. He glided up the gallery and up the stairs, and stopped in the dark, low corridor of the fateful third storey: I had followed and stood at his side. “Have you a sponge in your room?” he asked in a whisper. “Yes, sir.” “Have you any salts—volatile salts?” “Yes.” “Go back and fetch both.” I returned, sought the sponge on the washstand, the salts in my drawer, and once more retraced my steps. He still waited; he held a key in his hand: approaching one of the small, black doors, he put it in the lock; he paused, and addressed me again. “You don’t turn sick at the sight of blood?” “I think I shall not: I have never been tried yet.” I felt a thrill while I answered him; but no coldness, and no faintness. “Just give me your hand,” he said: “it will not do to risk a fainting fit.” I put my fingers into his. “Warm and steady,” was his remark: he turned the key and opened the door. I saw a room I remembered to have seen before, the day Mrs. Fairfax showed me over the house: it was hung with tapestry; but the tapestry was now looped up in one part, and there was a door apparent, which had then been concealed. This door was open; a light shone out of the room within: I heard thence a snarling, snatching sound, almost like a dog quarrelling. Mr. Rochester, putting down his candle, said to me, “Wait a minute,” and he went forward to the inner apartment. A shout of laughter greeted his entrance; noisy at first, and terminating in Grace Poole’s own goblin ha! ha! She then was there. He made some sort of arrangement without speaking, though I heard a low voice address him: he came out and closed the door behind him.
The tension in this passage can be found in the following quotes:
- "Come out, then, quietly."
- "He glided up the gallery and up the stairs, and stopped in the dark, low corridor of the fateful third storey: I had followed and stood at his side."
- "He still waited; he held a key in his hand: approaching one of the small, black doors, he put it in the lock; he paused, and addressed me again."
- "Just give me your hand," he said: "it will not do to risk a fainting fit."
- "I saw a room I remembered to have seen before... This door was open; a light shone out of the room within: I heard thence a snarling, snatching sound, almost like a dog quarrelling."
- "He made some sort of arrangement without speaking, though I heard a low voice address him: he came out and closed the door behind him."
These quotes contribute to the tension in the passage because they depict a secretive and ominous situation involving Mr. Rochester and an unknown individual in the room. The whispered conversation, Mr. Rochester's cautious movements, and the mention of blood create a sense of anticipation and unease. The snarling and quarrelling sounds add to the tension, suggesting a potentially dangerous or volatile situation within the room. The low voice and Mr. Rochester's silence create further mystery and heighten the reader's curiosity about what is happening.
explain each one
- "Come out, then, quietly."
This quote sets the stage for a covert and secretive situation, creating tension as the protagonist is instructed to move discreetly.
- "He glided up the gallery and up the stairs, and stopped in the dark, low corridor of the fateful third storey: I had followed and stood at his side."
The description of Mr. Rochester's silent movements and the mention of the "fateful third storey" adds an air of foreboding and suspense. The protagonist's presence beside him suggests they are about to witness or participate in something significant.
- "He still waited; he held a key in his hand: approaching one of the small, black doors, he put it in the lock; he paused, and addressed me again."
The mention of the key and the small, black door implies secrecy and possibly the need to unlock or reveal something hidden. The pause and conversation add tension as the reader wonders what lies behind the door and what Mr. Rochester's intentions are.
- "Just give me your hand," he said: "it will not do to risk a fainting fit."
The request for the protagonist's hand and the mention of risking a fainting fit suggests that what they are about to witness or encounter may be disturbing or shocking. The tension arises from the anticipation of what lies ahead and the potential impact it may have on the protagonist.
- "I saw a room I remembered to have seen before... This door was open; a light shone out of the room within: I heard thence a snarling, snatching sound, almost like a dog quarrelling."
The recognition of the room, the open door, and the unusual sounds intensify the tension. The familiarity paired with the unexpected and unsettling noises creates a sense of unease and mystery.
- "He made some sort of arrangement without speaking, though I heard a low voice address him: he came out and closed the door behind him."
The secrecy and lack of communication between Mr. Rochester and the unknown individual raise further questions and intrigue. The fact that an arrangement is made without words and the subsequent closing of the door adds to the secretive and tense atmosphere of the scene. The involvement of a low voice also suggests a hidden presence or plot.
where is the tension here?
“Here, Jane!” he said; and I walked round to the other side of a large bed, which with its drawn curtains concealed a considerable portion of the chamber. An easy-chair was near the bed-head: a man sat in it, dressed with the exception of his coat; he was still; his head leant back; his eyes were
closed. Mr. Rochester held the candle over him; I recognised in his pale and seemingly lifeless face—the stranger, Mason: I saw too that his linen on one side, and one arm, was almost soaked in blood. “Hold the candle,” said Mr. Rochester, and I took it: he fetched a basin of water from the washstand: “Hold that,” said he. I obeyed. He took the sponge, dipped it in, and moistened the corpse-like face; he asked for my smelling-bottle, and applied it to the nostrils. Mr. Mason shortly unclosed his eyes; he groaned. Mr. Rochester opened the shirt of the wounded man, whose arm and shoulder were bandaged: he sponged away blood, trickling fast down. “Is there immediate danger?” murmured Mr. Mason. “Pooh! No—a mere scratch. Don’t be so overcome, man: bear up! I’ll fetch a surgeon for you now, myself: you’ll be able to be removed by morning, I hope. Jane,” he continued. “Sir?” “I shall have to leave you in this room with this gentleman, for an hour, or perhaps two hours: you will sponge the blood as I do when it returns: if he feels faint, you will put the glass of water on that stand to his lips, and your salts to his nose. You will not speak to him on any pretext—and—Richard, it will be at the peril of your life if you speak to her: open your lips—agitate yourself—and I’ll not answer for the consequences.” Again the poor man groaned; he looked as if he dared not move; fear, either of death or of something else, appeared almost to paralyse him. Mr. Rochester put the now bloody sponge into my hand, and I proceeded to use it as he had done. He watched me a second, then saying, “Remember!—No conversation,” he left the room. I experienced a strange feeling as the key grated in the lock, and the sound of his retreating step ceased to be heard. Here then I was in the third storey, fastened into one of its mystic cells; night around me; a pale and bloody spectacle under my eyes and hands; a murderess hardly separated from me by a single door: yes—that was appalling—the rest I could bear; but I shuddered at the thought of Grace Poole brsting out upon me. I must keep to my post, however. I must watch this ghastly countenance—these blue, still lips forbidden to unclose—these eyes now shut, now opening, now wandering through the room, now
The tension in this passage can be found in the following quotes:
- "I saw too that his linen on one side, and one arm, was almost soaked in blood."
- "He took the sponge, dipped it in, and moistened the corpse-like face; he asked for my smelling-bottle, and applied it to the nostrils."
- "Is there immediate danger?" murmured Mr. Mason.
- "I shall have to leave you in this room with this gentleman, for an hour, or perhaps two hours: you will sponge the blood as I do when it returns."
- "Fear, either of death or of something else, appeared almost to paralyse him."
- "Remember!—No conversation," he left the room.
- "Here then I was in the third storey, fastened into one of its mystic cells; night around me; a pale and bloody spectacle under my eyes and hands; a murderess hardly separated from me by a single door."
These quotes contribute to the tension in the passage as they depict a scene of mystery, danger, and potential violence. The sight of the blood-soaked man and the use of the sponge create a sense of unease and foreshadow a traumatic event. The mention of immediate danger and the need for the protagonist to watch over the injured man heighten the sense of uncertainty and anticipation. The fear and paralysis exhibited by Mr. Mason add to the uneasiness. The directive of "No conversation" and the protagonist's isolation in a mysterious room further intensify the tension, as does the suggestion of a potential murderess nearby. The overall atmosphere of confinement, darkness, and the presence of a potentially dangerous person creates a palpable sense of tension and suspense.
I must keep to my post, however. I must watch this ghastly countenance—these blue, still lips forbidden to unclose—these eyes now shut, now opening, now wandering through the room, now fixing on me, and ever glazed with the dulness of horror. I must dip my hand again and again in the basin of blood and water, and wipe away the trickling gore. I must see the light of the unsnuffed candle wane on my employment; the shadows darken on the wrought, antique tapestry round me, and grow black under the hangings of the vast old bed, and quiver strangely over the doors of a great cabinet opposite—whose front, divided into twelve panels, bore, in grim design, the heads of the twelve apostles, each enclosed in its separate panel as in a frame; while above them at the top rose an ebon crucifix and a dying Christ. According as the shifting obscurity and flickering gleam hovered here or glanced there, it was now the bearded physician, Luke, that bent his brow; now St. John’s long hair that waved; and anon the devilish face of Judas, that grew out of the panel, and seemed gathering life and threatening a revelation of the arch-traitor—of Satan himself—in his subordinate’s form. Amidst all this, I had to listen as well as watch: to listen for the movements of the wild beast or the fiend in yonder side den. But since Mr. Rochester’s visit it seemed spellbound: all the night I heard but three sounds at three long intervals,—a step creak, a momentary renewal of the snarling, canine noise, and a deep human groan
where is tension in this