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How does the writer build tension throughout the extract Dracula?

Dracula is an 1897 Gothic horror by Irish author Bram Stoker. The author was well aware of
the importance of tension as an element of a novel. The element of tension arouses an
emotional response of anticipation, anxiety and fear which goes on to enchant the reader. As
such, the build up of tension up to the climax was very well executed by the author
throughout the novel.

First and foremost, the layering of the setting the writer uses creates a sense ambiguity that
intrigues the readers. This is seen as he describes the route through which the horse-drawn
coach passes, “trees, which in places arched right over the roadway till we passed as through
a tunnel; and again great frowning rocks guarded us boldly on either side.” The faint flickering
blue flame that both the driver and protagonist saw, also brings about tension. The visual
imagery here creates suspense in regards to the journey that the protagonist is embarking
on. The picture of trees arranged to form a tunnel is trying to imply that the author doesn’t
want the protagonist and the reader to know what lies above and at the end of the tunnel.
This suspense will want readers to read further on to see what is present beyond. Moreover,
the frowning rocks goes to show that nature is implying about grim future of the protagonist,
but at the same time it is guarding the character almost like holding him a prisoner enroute
to the castle of Dracula. The flickering light indicates that something is not right, however the
calm blue tone which the writer chooses to use does not give away the danger lurking the
character.

Furthermore, the various noises both the flora and fauna is making go on to reinforce the
suspense. “Though we were in shelter, we could hear the rising wind, for it moaned and
whistled through the rocks, and the branches of trees crashed together as we went along,” is
a clear evidence of tension beholding the setting and what the protagonist is going to face. At
the same time, the howling of dogs and the baying of the wolves is nerve wrecking and gives
goosebumps to readers. The use of auditory imagery has successfully intensified the tension
the author is trying to build up. The moaning and whistling of the wind is an oxymoron that
clearly makes readers question the true nature of events that is going to unfold, where
moaning indicates something bad, but whistling indicating something more joyous. Besides
that, the howling of dogs and the baying of wolves gives the atmosphere a terrorizing appeal
which makes readers feel that something unforeseen is going to happen.

It is clear that the author has utilized the element of tension very well to pique the interest of
those reading the novel and to keep them engrossed in the story till the end as explained
above. This makes the novel Dracula an interesting read.

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