Mark Dumont
11-7 Writers
Mrs. Rizzone
3-30-16
Suspense Suspense is a unique factor in writing. In Harvey’s story he uses suspense to convey a consistent energy. The energy adds to the strength of the story and compels readers to keep reading. The effect of suspense keeps readers on the edge of their seats and wanting to find out what will happen next. The mood throughout the story is surprisingly light hearted. The mood of “August Heat” enhances its suspense and ominous foreshadowing. In W.F. Harvey’s short story, “August Heat,” the author creates suspense by constant references to the stifling heat of a summer day and a series of foreshadowing hints that propel the reader to an uncertain conclusion. One afternoon in the stifling August heat, forty year old artist James Clarence Withencroft begins to draw and sketch. James states, “the room, though door and windows were open, was oppressively hot, and I had just made up my mind that the coolest and most comfortable place in the neighborhood would be the deep end of the public swimming bath, when the idea came”(Page 92, line 17-20). James sketches an image of an extremely obese man, just after his court sentencing. James rolled up the sketch and without knowing why, placed it in his pocket and left the house. From the beginning, James only seemed to have the vaguest recollection of where he went. James goes on to say, “The one thing of which I was fully conscious was the awful heat, that came up from the dusty pavement as an almost palpable wave” (Page 93, line 43-45). Once again he’s describing the thick August heat. It shows how the heat plays a commanding role in the flow of the story. James walked approximately five to six miles when a small boy jolted him back from his trace, asking him what time it was. James then begins to collect his bearings and become more aware of his surroundings. Above James’