The Ballad of the Sad Café

The first element that contributes to this sense of suspense is the fact that the story is structured as something that has taken place in the past, that is therefore completed before it is told, and that is being remembered. This is made evident in the opening introductory section, which is set in the "present" as the narrator notes the outcome in a way that deepens the sense of mystery by referring to terrible events without telling what they were. What is evident is that these events have had their effect: "Otherwise the town is lonesome, sad, and like a place that is far off and estranged from all other places in the world" (3). The description of the town is such that we see a place where something happened, where people remember, and where they are in fact reminded by the face at the w

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suspense in this manner. Most of what is to happen is hinted at in the opening section for instance--the principles are described, whatever happens involves the three of them, it takes place in and around the caf?, it destroys the caf?, and it leaves a legacy. In addition, the reader knows from this section that Amelia was married and that her husband went to the penitentiary, but does not know the details. This story is referred to more than once before it is told, so the reader knows that there is something interesting about the marriage and its aftermath. This story is set apart and told about one-third of the way into the story. Doing this serves the purpose of allowing the narrator to give the reader a sense of Amelia's character before showing this one important element in its formation. The reader knows that the hints that have been given will be fulfilled one at a time and continues reading, waiting for the major revelation concerning what happened once the husband returns. The narrative structure also develops around the way characters are introduced--the three principals are always seen first from a distance, slowly appearing to reveal themselves, much as will happen in the narrative itself. Amelia is seen as th
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Cousin Lymon, Sad Cafe, Sad Caf, Miss Amelia's, IV Revealing, Cousin Lymon's, II Set, VI Atmosphere, Foreshadowing Hints, sense doom, information revealed, Carson McCullers', cousin lymon, strong sense doom, strong sense, times story, suspense narrative, doom suspense, town caf, narrative structure, sense doom suspense, suspense narrative techniques, doom suspense narrative, contributes sense,
Approximate Word count = 1207
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)