“THE DEMON LOVER”
NAME: _________________________________________
Foreshadowing is a writer’s use of hints and clues to suggest events that will occur later in the story. This technique can create suspense as readers begin to expect what will happen next. A flashback is an episode that interrupts the action of the story’s plot to show
an experience that happened at an earlier time. Writers use this technique to provide important background information. Ambiguity
occurs when a writer intentionally presents elements of a story as confusing or open to interpretation. Writers can use ambiguity to create mystery, as well as to reflect the fact that events in real life are often ambiguous. This technique emphasizes that there may not be
a single, clear meaning or interpretation for every event.
Directions: Complete the charts with examples of flashback, foreshadowing, and ambiguity. For each example of foreshadowing, tell
what events the example hints will take place. For each example of a flashback, tell what background information the example provides. Two examples are already included. For each example of ambiguity give a possible interpretation.
Examples of Foreshadowing
“In her once familiar street, as in any unused channel,
an unfamiliar queerness had silted up; a cat wove itself
in and out of railings, but no human eye watched Mrs.
Drover’s return.” (lines 7–9)
What It Hints Will Happen
Flashback:
Examples of Flashback
Memory of 25 years ago, meeting the soldier and
agreeing to marry him. (lines 73–100)
What Background Information It Provides
.
Examples of Ambiguity
how the mysterious letter arrived
who sent the letter
what promise Mrs. Drover made to the soldier twentyfive years ago
Possible Interpretations
the draft of air from the basement
the ending of the story
TEXT ANALYSIS: ANSWER EACH QUESTION.
1.Understand Setting and Mood: Circle the words that describe the setting and mood at the beginning of the story.
a. cheerful
c. closed
e. sunny
g. bleak
i. mysterious
b. gray
d. empty
f. obvious
h. open
2. Why is Mrs. Drover’s house empty?
3. Who has written the letter Mrs. Drover discovers? Why is she so upset by it?
4. Under what circumstances did she last meet the writer of the letter? What effect did their relationship have on her?
5. How does Mrs. Drover plan to escape from the house? Explain whether she succeeds.
6. Identify three points where Mrs. Drover feels that she is being watched. Describe what each adds to the story.
7. How does the author describe Mrs. Drover’s reaction to the letter? What feelings does this description prompt in you?
8. Contrast the young Kathleen with Mrs. Drover.
9. What does Mrs. Drover’s fate suggest about the importance of habit and the familiar in human life?
10.Draw Conclusions about Character: Underline a word or phrase in parentheses to complete each sentence. Then
explain why you did with support from the story.
a. Mrs. Drover is known for being (peculiar/dependable/vicious).
b. She does not allow herself to consider the (practical/ordinary/supernatural) world.
c. However, after the soldier made her make him a promise, she felt (separated from/connected to/frightened of) the world.
d. This relationship suggests an underlying (courage/instability/pride).