Question

How does the author best create suspense in this excerpt from 'Lather and Nothing Else'?

1) The captain is described as tranquil and unafraid, which shows that he is violent.
2) Descriptive shaving details are included to create tension in the barbershop.
3) Prisoners and blood are mentioned, which hints at the upcoming dangerous scene.
4) Sentences and confused thoughts speed the pace toward the barber's important decision.

Answer 1

The author creates suspense in this excerpt through the use of descriptive details, intense imagery, and a frazzled and frantic mood.

Step-by-step explanation:

The author creates suspense in this excerpt by using descriptive details, sentence structure, and intense imagery. The mention of prisoners and blood hints at an upcoming dangerous scene, while the sentences and confused thoughts speed up the pace of the story, building tension towards the barber's important decision. Additionally, the vivid imagery and details in the passage create a frazzled and frantic mood, adding to the suspense.