HG Wells †The War Of The Worlds Essay -- English Literature

HG Wells – The War Of The Worlds HG Wells uses literacy techniques in The War Of The Worlds to add tension and create a better more frightening atmosphere. He uses four main types of literacy techniques that are:  · Juxtaposition  · Pathetic fallacy  · Omniscient viewpoint  · And cliffhangers The meaning of these are as followed:  · Juxtaposition – this is where two completely different facts are put next to each other to make a comparison that stands out clearly and completely changes the atmosphere.  · Pathetic fallacy – this is where the weather matches the mood of some one.  · Omniscient viewpoint – the author and the reader knows what is going to happen but the character does not.  · Cliffhanger – this means main things 1. A melodramatic serial in which each episode ends in suspense. 2. A suspenseful situation occurring at the end of a chapter, scene, or episode. 3. A contest so closely matched that the outcome is uncertain until the end. Examples of these four techniques are found in the HG Wells The War Of The Worlds. The examples I picked out especially for this work are the ones I feel are most important and best show what these techniques. These were picked out of the book. Juxtaposition: â€Å"And this was the little world in which I had been living in securely for years, this fiery chaos!† â€Å"About six in the evening, as I sat at tea with my wife in the summerhouse talking vigorously about the battle that was lowering upon us, I heard a muffled detonation from the common, and immediately after a gust of firing†. â€Å"The heavy firing that had broken out while we were driving down Maybury Hill ceased as abruptly as it began, leaving the evening very peaceful and ... ...t smite", swiftly means quick, agile and nimble and smite meaning striking and powerful, which is constructed to make the Martians look strong and powerful. Wells also uses a contrasting pair to create a sense of optimism where he says "This was printed in enormous type on paper so fresh that it was still wet", which shows optimism in the way that an announcement had been made to assure the safety in the people of London. A fast pace is created in this episode by having the city chaotic at one time, but then an assurance is made that the people will be safe, but some may not believe that they are safe, which causes great tension in this episode, and for the next chapter of the book. This passage describes why the Martian invasion failed, and how the Martians were destroyed. The atmosphere created in this episode is one of rising optimism and reflection.