Susan Hill's "The Woman in Black" is often described as a "ghost story" and its eerie and considerably terrifying tale fits well within the Gothic tradition. In this essay I will explore the Gothic conventions used and the effectiveness with which they are represented through the use of language, form and structure. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"? Get an original essay In this passage, Hill explores the complexity of human fear, particularly that apparent in the protagonist, which follows the overwhelming feeling of ambiguity that Hill creates and maintains throughout. From the beginning of the excerpt, Arthur excessively interrogates his surroundings, questioning himself with questions such as "How could this exist?" » Repetition of rhetorical questions like this immediately establishes an uncertain tone and distinct tension, two extremely prevalent conventions in the Gothic genre. In doing so, Hill effectively evokes a panicked reaction from the reader, mirroring that of the protagonist, as Hill exploits the instinctive human fear that arises from any degree of ambiguity in a situation. Here, the use of first person narrative is significant in that it allows the reader to empathize with Arthur, thereby heightening the emotional response. The atmosphere of unease prevails later in the passage as Arthur describes that he "just had the absolutely certain feeling that someone had just passed by", which is disorienting for the reader as this statement is preceded by several imperatives equally emphatic of opposite conclusion, as Arthur insists that there was "no movement", "no touch of the stick" and "no disturbance of the air". This style of juxtaposing narrative is often seen in Gothic writing and is extremely effective in creating a false sense of security, which is then, or in this case, immediately, destroyed. Because Arthur is unable to reach a definitive conclusion about the nature of the presence, the reader seeks reassurance that it is not sinister and, through the uncertain tone, Hill subtly implies that the Arthur's fear could be an amplification of paranoia – the result of his isolation for so long – because the basis of his fear is tenuous. However, the juxtaposition used here greatly succeeds in ensuring the reader is appropriately dreaded, which is actually one of the main goals of the gothic genre, as the inexplicability of the circumstance becomes overwhelming. Furthermore, most often in Gothic literature, intrinsic human qualities inevitably lead to the protagonist's downfall. This is famously seen in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," where the doctor's curiosity and thirst to create life leads to the invention of the monster. Here, in "The Woman in Black", Hill subtly makes the reader aware of Arthur's innate paternal instinct as he is so receptive to the "familiar cry of despair and anguish... of a child" that he heard repeatedly from the swamp. Hill's use of significantly emotive adjectives here is significant because they clearly indicate to the reader that a protective instinct has been triggered in Arthur and has the potential to be exploited by the evil present at Eel Marsh House. This is underlined by knowing that the child is not real, but Arthur nevertheless feels the need to help him. Children carry strong connotations of innocence in the Gothic tradition and here it is no different as the child's cry elicits a response of sadness in both the reader and the protagonist, as.