In this extract from The Signalman, we learn about the ghost that the signalman has been seeing, which is troubling him. It creates an air of mystery, which continues to unfold throughout the play, ultimately culminating in the death of the signalman. In this extract I think Dickens manages to create a sense of mystery due to two main factors. By learning that the signalman believes he has seen a ghost in the tunnel, it explains his strange behaviour when he first encounters the narrator. Despite the revelation providing answers, the potential presence of a ghost automatically gives the story a mysterious feel. The structure of this extract consists of dialogue between the signalman and the narrator, with a vast contrast between the two voices The signalman is reporting his account of what he has seen and the narrator who tries to offer logical interpretations for what the signalman describes. The questions that the narrator asks are ones which the reader would want to ask. The interruptions by the narrator allow for clarification of events; moreover, it increases suspense and adds delays. The manner in which the signalman answers the questions creates a sense of conviction to the story, but also adds mystery because it makes the prospect of the spectre being real more viable. However, both narratives contain elements of doubt and uncertainty, which allows scope for the readers own interpretation. Suspense and tension builds up as more details are revealed, and this is also done by the use of a variety of long and short sentences. This is also aided by the very noticeable change in atmosphere. It begins with conspiratorial "whispers", as though a secret is about to be told, to feeling very spooky and mysterious after events have been divulged.
Dickens also uses language to contribute to and help build up a sense of mystery. He creates a mysterious atmosphere through the description of the tunnel, with the darkness of the description echoing the surroundings. This language creates a sinister image of the tunnel in the readers mind, making it seem even more mysterious. The description of the ghosts' actions and words creates a rather startling, mysterious image. He says the words "For God's sake, clear the way!" with the "utmost passion and vehemence". Moreover, the narrator describes the actions of the ghost as one of "mourning" like "stone figures on tombs". These actions and words seem unexplainable and strange, which makes everything seem even more mysterious to the reader. Dickens also uses more straightforward and traditional mysterious language to show the change in the narrator's feelings as he struggles to explain away the coincidences. He describes how a "disagreeable shudder" crept over him and how he felt a "frozen finger tracing out his spine". These are things very commonly associated with a feeling of uneasiness and being surrounded by mystery and emphasises to the reader how the mysterious atmosphere is gradually building up.
This extract begins the conflict which continues throughout the rest of the story of is the ghost real or not. In the beginning of the extract when the signalman talks about seeing a ghost we see further reason to believe that the signalman is insane after his strange behaviour on first encountering the narrator. However, the details that emerge seem to prove that the ghost is actually real. This is shown through the development of the narrator who begins by offering rational explanations, however by the end of the extract even he seems drawn in to being open about the presence of the ghost, which adds to the sense of mystery for the reader. Furthermore, this all adds to the underlying theme that is explored throughout the story of what power the supernatural has over us even if it's not real.
In conclusion I think that Dickens has used a balance of form and structure, and language techniques to make this an effective extract which creates a convincing sense of mystery for the reader. It also explores the underlying themes and meanings of the story.