Genre
A horror novella
Setting and Context
The action takes place in Crythin Gifford, a small town on the north east coast of England.
Narrator and Point of View
The main narrator is a first person Arthur Kipps. He narrates the story about his horrible past in Crythin Gifford.
Tone and Mood
The tone of this novella is mystical. The plot compels readers to be disturbed and endure frightful emotions.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The main protagonist is Arthur Kipps. The main antagonist is the woman in black.
Major Conflict
The main conflict is a struggle between Arthur Kipps and Jennet Humfrye, who is a woman in black. He tries to protect his family and all children of the small town of London.
Climax
The climax happens when the main character learns that the woman in black is a ghost.
Foreshadowing
Rumors, which are flying in Crythin Gifford about the terrible Eel Marsh House and its “inhabitant” (the woman in black), foreshadow the long and intricate investigation of Arthur Kipps.
Understatement
N/A
Allusions
This novella alludes to the city London and its north east coast.
Imagery
Imagery is widely used when portraying weather, predominately fog and rain, which serve as the main background for terrifying events described
Paradox
The paradox is a visibility of the woman in black. Actually, people cannot see ghosts, but Arthur see the ghost of Jennet Humfrye.
Parallelism
Readers can observe the parallelism of Arthur’s feeling. He fears to visit Eel Marsh House once again, but his curiosity makes him to be courageous and strong.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
The woman in black personifies death and agony beyond words.
