Question

Read the excerpt from "Object Lesson, Part 2." "No sign of the original envelope?" "No." "I found two boys with bills — in each case a single, too. David Strager and Joey Buell. No envelope." Louise's brows met. Ellery glanced up at the clock. 9:07. Why do these words create tension?

a) They create a conflict between the boys.
b) The sudden movement surprises the reader.
c) They make the reader wonder what will happen next.
d) They speed up the pacing of events.

Answer 1

The excerpt creates suspense and drama by presenting details that signal a conflict and leave the reader anticipating future events, contributing to the tension that is crucial for narrative engagement and pacing. Option a

Step-by-step explanation:

The words from the excerpt "Object Lesson, Part 2" effectively create suspense and drama. The dialogue indicating the absence of the envelope and the discovery of the bills with the boys heightens tension because it creates a conflict and makes the reader question what the outcome will be.

Adding to this effect is the mention of the time, suggesting the importance of every passing minute in the unfolding of events. In narratives, such details often act as catalysts accelerating the pacing towards the climax, leaving the reader anxious about the upcoming events and the resolutions of these tensions.

In a broader context of literature, the usage of short, impactful lines and enjambment, as in Gwendolyn Brooks' poem "We Real Cool," or the sparse setting details and dialogue in Keller's work, all serve to drive the plot forward and keep the reader engaged, wondering what will happen next. The conflict between characters or within a character, is central to the narrative tension in short stories, which is continually built up until it reaches its peak in the climax. Option a