Drama and Suspense in The Steel Windpipe

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How does the author make use of drama and suspense effectively, in

The Steel Windpipe?

“The Steel Windpipe” Is the story of a youthful, recently qualified

Russian doctor, who is forced to perform his first genuine operation,

much sooner than he anticipated, when a young girl is unable to

breath. Throughout the story the doctor is portrayed as a very nervous

and hesitant young man. He is unsure of his ability to complete the

operation successfully; this shows him as a very self-conscious

person. This self doubt and uncertainty in the doctor increases the

suspense and in particular the tension in the story. The reader does

not have faith in the doctor’s abilities or judgments. This aspect of

insecurity entrances the reader and makes them want to know the

outcome of the doctor’s impending operation.

The story is set in Russia, amidst a fierce blizzard. Russia’s

northern regions are infamous for their cruel and unforgiving winters,

and having the story take place during this time period, adds to the

atmosphere and creates a sense of gloom and depression. The violent

and icy weather gives the reader a sense of foreboding and dread. The

weather is used as an effective tool in this circumstance to build the

tension, drama and suspense.

“I thought that blizzards only howled in novels. It appeared that they

howled in real life”

“Whirling snow; the houses were covered in it.”

The exact location of the doctor’s clinic is unknown; however from the

text we can gather that it is very remote and isolated.

“The nearest town, thirty-two miles away.”

The story begins with the doctor seated in his living area. He deeply

regrets choosing to study medicine, and he longs to return to the city

where he grew up....

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midwives and the feldsher. As the child recovers and is returned to

her mother the doctor realizes how terrible it might have been if he

had not been successful.

“I felt a cold sweat run down my back as I realized what it would have

been like if Lidka (the little girl) had died on the table.”

The author, Mikhail Bulgakov, uses and creates, tension and drama very

effectively in this story. He begins to build up tension almost from

the start of the story. The setting is very suitable for the story.

The sense of isolation leaves the doctor with no other option but to

operate. The blizzard also emphasizes this feeling of isolation.

During the operation the tension is at a climax. The doctor does not

seem to be having any luck. When the feldsher collapses and the

success of the operation is in jeopardy so close to completion the

tension is very great.

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