Step-by-step explanation:
Understood. I can help explain the rules of suspense and provide examples from the poem to show how it builds suspense.
Suspense is created in literature when the reader is uncertain about what will happen next and feels a sense of anticipation or anxiety. The rules of suspense include creating a sense of danger or threat, building tension through pacing and description, and withholding information to keep the reader guessing.
In "The Raven," the poem builds suspense in several ways. First, there is a sense of danger or threat from the mysterious bird that enters the narrator's chamber. The bird's appearance and behavior are described as unsettling, with its "grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous" presence. The narrator also notes that the bird seems to have a "fiery eye" that stares at him with intensity, adding to the sense of danger.
Second, tension is built through pacing and description. The poem is structured as a series of questions and answers between the narrator and the bird, with the bird's repeated response of "Nevermore" becoming increasingly ominous and eerie. The use of repetition and the slow, deliberate pacing of the poem help to create a sense of tension and anticipation.
Finally, information is withheld to keep the reader guessing. The identity and purpose of the bird are never fully explained, leaving the reader to speculate about its significance. Additionally, the narrator's state of mind is left somewhat ambiguous, with hints that he may be descending into madness. This ambiguity adds to the uncertainty and tension of the poem.
Overall, "The Raven" builds suspense through the use of danger, tension, and ambiguity, creating a sense of anxiety and anticipation in the reader. James Earl Jones' haunting voice adds to the tone, helping to create a moody and unsettling atmosphere that heightens the suspense.