ENG 4C1: Strawberry Spring
Strawberry Spring as Horror Fiction
1. Suspense is the feeling of tension or anxiety in a reader. It can be created in many ways. The
author can withhold information from readers or characters, foreshadow events to come, use
descriptive techniques (imagery); tell anecdotes etc.
How does Stephen King skillfully develop suspense in his story? Identify two techniques he uses
and examples from the story.
Technique 1: ___________________________________________________________________
Example: ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Explanation (how this develops suspense): ___________________________________________
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Technique 2: ___________________________________________________________________
Example: ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Explanation (how this develops suspense): ___________________________________________
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2. Evil, chaos, and danger are necessary elements in any horror fiction story. Identify the
three elements of horror in the short story Strawberry Spring.
a) Evil – there must be a major embodiment of evil, whether that be human, animal or
supernatural.
Element(s) of evil: _________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Explain: ________________________________________________________________
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b) Chaos – There must be a pattern of chaos that is unpredictable, unexpected, and
uncontrollable.
Elements of chaos: ________________________________________________________
Explain: ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
ENG 4C1: Strawberry Spring
c) Danger – Characters must be put into immediate physical risk or get involved in some
sort of corruption. For example, where a character betrays him or herself, a loss of
sanity or where reality and the environment is overturned.
Elements of Danger: _______________________________________________________
Explain: ________________________________________________________________
3. Examine the list of reasons to study Stephen King from your notes. Identify two reasons for
studying Stephen King that apply to this story and explain why.
Reason 1: ____________________________________________________________________
Explain: ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Reason 2: _____________________________________________________________________
Explain: _______________________________________________________________________
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