#1) Which story did you read?
Out of all the stories presented to read I chose “The Boarded Window” by Ambrose Bierce.
#2) Describe the physical setting of the story.
Well in this story we are provided with a background by the narrator, who is a boy whose name we never know, He goes on to provide details about the region and details about Murlock's life and his cabin. Also it seems that this boy grew up near Murlock's cabin and also he knows the secret of the boarded window.
#3) Which words or descriptions contribute to the emotional setting or mood?
I believe that the words and descriptions that contribute to the emotional setting or mood are the ones that are presented when Murlock's wife finally shuts her eyes and we witness in the story how Murlock tries to cope with her supposed death. Also when he falls asleep with the body of his wife on top of the table only to wake up to an unexpected development.
#4) What is the mood that results from the author’s use of description?
I believe that the mood that results from the author’s use of description is that of contempt. This was because of the way that he decided to live after what had happened to her wife and the fact that he had played a role in her death.
#5) What is the theme?
There are two themes in this story. One is Death and the second them at the very end is that of the Supernatural.
#6) How do the final lines of the story influence the meaning or theme of the story?
The way that the final lines of the story influence the meaning of the story is by making us realize that his wife was never really dead. It leaves the reader in horror to realize the fact that she had fallen prey to a panther. She probably in fact fought for her life against the panther before she was carried away through the window.
7) What techniques does the author use to create suspense throughout the story?
I believe that the techniques that the author uses to create suspense throughout the story were the complication of Murlock’s problems and the unpredictable ending when we realize that the wife was never dead.
#8) Do you think the techniques you identified in question four were effective?
I believe that the techniques of complicating matters and being unpredictable were very effective.
#9) Did they create suspense for you?
They did, especially when it starts to look bad for Murlock when his wife fall ill.
#10) In your opinion, what technique could be used more effectively?
I think that if there had been more about why the narrator in the story had such detailed knowledge about what happen to Murlock, then the story would have had a greater impact. For example what if the young boy was Murlock’s relative all along.
#11) What techniques does the author use to create a surprise ending?
I believe that the technique that the author used to create a surprise ending was tension or micro-tension. He absorbed the readers in the moment-by-moment tension that kept me in suspense over what would happen in the next minute.
#12) What was your experience in reading this story?
My experience in reading this story was really immersive. Once I started reading my own imagination would star assuming what was going to happen next in the story. For example when his wife fell unconscious there was a part of me that actually thought that he was being to hasty to conclude that she was dead. But the end was totally unexpected.
#13) Did it evoke fear or physically have an effect on you?
It did not evoke fear in me but, it did make me feel the suspense and I could only try to imagine how I would have felt in a situation like that.
I hope it helps, Regards.
