How does Harper Lee use different narrative techniques, such
as flashbacks and foreshadowing, to build tension and
suspense in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Harper Lee employs various narrative techniques to create and sustain a
sense of tension and suspense in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. One of
these techniques is the use of flashbacks. For example, Scout's telling of the
events of the novel is through the perspective of an adult looking back on her
childhood, which allows readers to anticipate and reflect on events before they
happen or after they have occurred. Moreover, the use of flashback also helps
to reveal characters' motivations and histories, such as when Boo Radley's
past is slowly revealed through Scout's recollections and her conversations
with other characters.
Another technique Lee employs is foreshadowing. This is exemplified through
the opening chapter of the novel, where the discovery of the chewing gum in
the tree and passage between Jem and Scout foreshadows their later
encounters with Boo Radley. Additionally, the frequent mentions of Tom
Robinson's trial, and the hints at the outcome of this trial, maintain tension
throughout the novel.
Overall, these narrative techniques are essential in building tension and
suspense in To Kill a Mockingbird, and for enhancing its themes of societal
injustice and the significance of empathy and understanding.
References:
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. HarperCollins, 1960.