Questions and Answers
Writers can use ____ to build suspense.
sequence of events
In the excerpt, the sequence of events creates suspense by what method?
slowing down the plot to focus on an important character
In the given excerpt, the sequence of events creates suspense by what method?
speeding up the plot to move the story forward and build tension
How does the author build suspense most effectively in the passage?
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By placing this passage at the beginning of the story, what suspense does the author build for the arrival of?
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How does ordering the events in 'Cruel Tribute' affect the level of suspense in the story?
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What effect does the author create with the sequence of events in this passage?
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Study Notes
Building Suspense
- Writers utilize a sequence of events to develop suspense in narratives.
- In The Cruel Tribute, years of sorrow are depicted in Athens due to the yearly sacrifice of youths and maidens to King Minos, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Character Development
- The introduction of Theseus, who is celebrated for his heroic deeds, shifts attention and heightens suspense as he seeks his father, King Aegeus.
- The focus on Theseus's character prompts anticipation of his role in resolving the conflict involving the tribute.
Narrative Pacing
- Fast-paced sequences (e.g., Theseus leading the escape from the Labyrinth) propel the plot, generating tension as the characters near safety.
- Contrastingly, slower sequences allow for deeper character exploration and emotional investment from the audience, particularly regarding the fate of the youths and maidens.
Revelation of Antagonist
- The suspense intensifies when the identity of the Minotaur is withheld until the critical moment of confrontation, enhancing reader anxiety.
Themes of Loss and Tribute
- King Minos's decree for cruel tribute mirrors the theme of loss, as he seeks retribution for the death of his son, Androgeos, reinforcing the stakes for Athens.
- This theme establishes a moral complexity in the story, as characters confront personal sacrifice and communal suffering.
Story Structure Impact
- The division of The Cruel Tribute into four parts (The Treaty, The Tribute, The Princess, The Labyrinth) strategically builds suspense leading up to critical moments.
- Each section culminates in increasing tension, with the structure guiding the reader through emotional highs and lows.
Tension Through Selection Process
- The drawing of lots for the tribute emphasizes randomness and fate, enhancing suspense as characters unwittingly approach their destinies.
- Theseus's voluntary decision to be the seventh youth showcases bravery and foreshadows his pivotal role in the narrative's resolution.
Climactic Confrontation
- The moment where Theseus confronts the Minotaur is a climax built on previous tension, illustrating the culmination of suspense that has been developed throughout the story.
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Description
Explore how suspense is crafted in The Cruel Tribute, focusing on character development and narrative pacing. This quiz delves into the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, examining the elements that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Test your understanding of how suspense unfolds through plot dynamics and character arcs.
