Language

Style of language

The language of the story can appear fragmented, as comments, explanations, and repetitions are sometimes inserted in the middle of a sentence: “I undid the lantern cautiously – oh, so cautiously – cautiously (for the hinges creaked)” (p. 155, ll. 16-17). This fragmented style helps show the unstable mind of the narrator. 

Some words are written in italics, suggesting the narrator’s emphasis and desperation: “I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye – not even his – could have detected any thing wrong” (p. 157, ll. 14-15); “It grew louder – louder – louder!” (p. 158, l. 10). The use of italics helps show the narrator's intense feelings in the most dramatic scenes of the story.

The text features little dialogue and is mostly written as a monologue or a confession made in retrospective. The narrator report...