The tension and mystery in this excerpt arise from the escalating conflict between Ulrich and Georg as they grapple with their predicament while simultaneously threatening each other. Both men are trapped, yet their animosity fuels the conversation, creating a palpable sense of danger; for example, Ulrich asserts, “When my men come to release us you will wish, perhaps, that you were in a better plight,” indicating that his situation is precarious but not hopeless, while Georg’s calm response provides a chilling counterpoint, suggesting that his own men may have malicious intent, stating, “Your men will find you dead under a fallen beech tree.” This exchange not only highlights their physical entrapment but also deepens the dramatic tension, as the reader is left wondering how their fates might unfold in this deadly game of one-upmanship.
Use paragraphs 8–10 from “The Interlopers” to answer the question.
In this excerpt, two men are trapped under a tree and accuse each other of trespassing on their land. How do the men’s situation and conversation create tension and mystery in the story? In 1-2 sentences, support your ideas with evidence from the paragraph.
“I’m caught in my own forest-land,” retorted Ulrich. “When my men come to release us you will wish, perhaps, that you were in a better plight than caught poaching on a neighbour’s land, shame on you.”
Georg was silent for a moment; then he answered quietly:
“Are you sure that your men will find much to release? I have men, too, in the forest to-night, close behind me, and THEY will be here first and do the releasing. When they drag me out from under these damned branches it won’t need much clumsiness on their part to roll this mass of trunk right over on the top of you. Your men will find you dead under a fallen beech tree. For form’s sake I shall send my condolences to your family.”
1 answer
1 answer