Final answer:
The narrator's description of the mother creates surprise by deviating from expected maternal traits and revealing a personal connection, evoking complexity and deeper engagement with the characters and plot.
Step-by-step explanation:
In literature, narrators play a pivotal role in shaping a reader's experience, with their description acting as a lens through which events are perceived. In the case at hand, the narrator's description of the mother strategically creates surprise. This element of surprise emerges in two distinct forms. Firstly, the unexpected presentation of the mother's character contrasts with the typical maternal portrayal, catching the reader off guard. Secondly, the narrator's personal connection with the mother, revealed as a shared childhood, furthers the surprise by adding layers of depth and coincidence to their encounter.
Another instance illustrated that when the mother enters the scene shyly and this subtle entrance juxtaposes against the backdrop of an intense or dramatic situation, magnifying the element of surprise. The contrast serves not only to heighten the emotional impact of the scene but also to underscore the complexities of the characters within the narrative. The surprise, therefore, is not just a mere plot device but a conduit for deeper engagement with the text.