Fear In Lucille Fletcher's 'The Hitchhiker'

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There are many ways fear can control ones life. Fear can drive one to insanity, even. In Lucille Fletcher’s The Hitchhiker, the main character Ronald Adams, tries to prove to both the readers and other people that he is sane. As the events of the play continue, a hitchhiker seems to be following him around, which drives Ronald mad. Lucille uses many elements of her plot to craft an amazing, effective, and thrilling story. The beginning of our plot introduces both Adams and the hitchhiker, but not all is right with the free traveling man. He seems to constantly follow Adams, “Crossing the Brooklyn bridge in the rain that morning, I saw a man leaning agains the cable poles.” (page 1002 The Hitchhiker) being as the first time he sees the man, Ronald Adams doesn't think much of it. Until he sees the man again, the mood getting a tad eerie. “I would have forgotten about him, except a hour later I saw him again.” (page 1002 The Hitchhiker) …show more content…

This turns the story darker, gives a motion of both fear and surprise. This also gives the motion that Ronald Adams is not completely sane. “hitchhikers? Here?” “A guy would be a fool to hitch a ride on these roads.” (pages 1002, 1003 The Hitchhiker) This is just the beginning of the audience thinking that perhaps the hitchhiker isn't actually real. Then Adams actually gets told himself that he’s seeing things “did you see him that time?” “No, I didn't see him that time and I don’t expect never to see him!” (page 1008 of The Hitchhiker)

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