Bowen uses vast amounts of narrative in this story as opposed to dialogue. This, combined by her created objects of dramatic function and choice of language convey the feeling of suspense and intensity that she wants the reader to feel throughout the story. After detailed reading of the story, one cannot be sure Mrs Drover’s return to the house is physically happening, however is definitely occurring in her mind. The “unfamiliar queerness” of the …showed first 75 words of 837 total…

…showed last 75 words of 837 total…pause, as there is a sense of suspense from beginning to end. Bowen leaves the reader with an open ending. This gives the reader much to contemplate, as the majority of the story is open to many kinds of interpretation. Bowen’s handling of narrative voice and close detailed diction allows the reader to see and feel what Mrs Drover feels with an intensity that provokes thought about possible outcomes throughout the story. Word count = 828.