The statement "A reader might know things that the characters do not" best explains how the reader’s point of view can create suspense and humor.
In creating suspense, this knowledge allows the reader to anticipate tension or danger that the characters are unaware of, leading to a heightened sense of anxiety about what will happen next. For example, if the audience knows a crucial piece of information that a character lacks, such as the presence of a hidden threat, this discrepancy can generate suspense as the reader waits to see how the character will react when the truth is revealed.
In terms of humor, the same knowledge gap can lead to comedic situations where the reader is in on a joke or misunderstanding that the characters do not realize. This can create irony and exaggeration, where the reader finds humor in the characters' obliviousness to the circumstances around them.
Thus, the reader's insights relative to the characters foster both suspense and humor effectively.