Woman in black cw first aid

How does the opening chapter of Hill’s ‘The Woman in Black’

foreshadow a story of haunting and evil?

What methods does Hill use? Only focus on the opening chapter

Anticipate, or lay the ground for the novel

How does the opening chapter set up the themes / tone of rest of the novel?

How does the opening chapter of Hill’s ‘The Woman in Black’ foreshadow a story of haunting and evil?

Introduction

In the opening chapter of ‘The Woman in Black’ Susan Hill

uses certain techniques to foreshadow the story of

haunting and evil. By ‘planting seeds’ of things to come,

some of these however are red herrings that disrupts the

readers expectations of the book. For instance the title of

the opening chapter which is called Christmas Eve which is

a time of year not usually associated with ‘haunting and

evil’.

In the opening chapter of ‘The Woman in Black’ Susan Hill

anticipates the novel’s central themes and establishes its

menacing tone, while at the same time disrupting many of

our expectations. For instance the title of the opening

chapter is ‘Christmas Eve’ which is a time of year not

usually associated with ‘haunting and evil’ and yet she

subverts this festive celebration and presents instead a

chilling tale from the perspective of the first person

narrator, Arthur Kipps.

In the opening chapter of ‘The Woman in Black’, Susan Hill

definitely anticipates the novel’s central themes and

establishes its menacing tone. She does this, not only

through manipulating her choice of narrative perspective,

but also by making good use of descriptive language.

Furthermore, she plays with the conventions of the ghost

story in order to disrupt our expectations; signposting that

the tale we are about to read is not merely frivolous

entertainment but something far more chilling.

Topic sentences to reflect a developing argument

Topic sentences to reflect a developing argument

How does the opening chapter set up the themes / tone of rest of the novel?

Methods Hill uses in the opening chapter to foreshadow

• Narrative perspective – 1st person framed narrative• Disruption of expectations via title and/or use of

intertextual reference (Dickens / M.R. James)• Withholding information / sense of the unspoken• Ridiculing the stereotypes of ghost stories• Use of pathetic fallacy• Use of setting• Lexical field of watery imagery

The title of the opening chapter of ‘The Woman in Black’ is

titled Christmas Eve, this presents a twist in the plot before

the story has begun.

In ‘The Woman in Black’ Hill uses narrative perspective to

create suspense.

In ‘The Woman in Black’ Hill uses pathetic fallacy of the

weather which is a typical element of a ghost story.

By setting the opening chapter of ‘The Woman in Black’ at

the warm, family home of Monk’s Piece it provides contrast

with the dark and cold Eel Marsh House.

In the opening chapter of ‘The Woman in Black’ Hill hints at

many things.

By setting the opening chapter of ‘The Woman in Black’ at

the warm, family home of Monk’s Piece it provides contrast

with the dark and cold Eel Marsh House.

In the opening chapter of ‘The Woman in Black’ Hill hints at

many things.

?


• Narrative perspective – 1st person framed narrative

Perhaps the most striking method Hill uses to foreshadow the novel’s haunting tone is her decision to present a first person framed narrative.


• Narrative perspective – 1st person framed narrative


• Disruption of expectations via title and/or use of intertextual reference (Dickens / M.R. James)

Arguably, Hill’s choice of title for the opening chapter (‘Christmas Eve’) is another means by which she prepares the reader for the story to follow.


• Withholding information / sense of the unspoken


• Withholding information / sense of the unspoken

Another means by which Hill uses the opening of her novel to foreshadow the events to come is, ironically, by withholding information which we might reasonably expect to be presented with during the exposition phase of the tale.


• Ridiculing the stereotypes of ghost stories


• Ridiculing the stereotypes of ghost stories

It is no accident that Kipps goes out of his way to ridicule and dismiss the conventions of the ghost story in the first few pages of the text; this is another means by which Hill prepares us for the chilling tale of the woman in black.


• Use of pathetic fallacy• Use of setting


• Use of pathetic fallacy• Use of setting

Hill’s use of setting and pathetic fallacy in ‘Christmas Eve’ is a subtle, but nonetheless effective way in which she further anticipates the horrors to come.


• Lexical field of watery imagery


• Lexical field of watery imagery

Moreover, Hill’s use of descriptive language in the first chapter includes the development of a lexical field which evokes a relationship between memories and water, anticipating the events to come at Eel Marsh House and its surroundings.

Conclusion

During the opening chapter of ‘The Woman in Black’ Hill

uses numerous techniques to foreshadow a story of

‘haunting and evil’. Some of these techniques are obvious

such as pathetic fallacy of the weather which is typical of

many ghost stories, however some are just hinted at such

as Kipps’ haunted past. The foreshadowing in the opening

chapter is a way Hill adds dramatic tension and suspense in

the novel.

It can be seen, then, that Hill employs a number of different

methods in an effort to ensure that the opening chapter of her

novel foreshadows the events to follow. In doing so, she pays

tribute to other writers of ghost stories who have influenced

her own work, including Dickens and James, while at the same

time, seeking to break away from the conventions of her

chosen genre. The result is a tale that wastes no time in

establishing its grip on the reader; and by the time it lets us go

again, there can be little doubt that we have been in the

clutches of something both ‘haunting and evil’!

Woman in black cw first aid

Education

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