Tension In The Short Story 'Trial By Combat' By Shirley Jackson

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Have you ever thought something but didn't say it was causing tension? In the short story "Trial by Combat" by Shirley Jackson there is clear tension because Emily, a character, is getting her stuff stolen and went to Mrs. Allen, who she thought was stealing and told her it needs to stop, but doesn't actually tell Mrs. Allen she thinks it was her stealing her stuff. In the 2nd passage from Summer Ball by Mike Lupica there is tension because Danny the kid told his Dad that he faked the injury but he didn't say why or give all the information causing tension. In this passage and short story, characters have conversations where not everything is said, causing tension between characters. First of all, the short story "Trial by Combat" has a lot that goes unsaid which causes undeniable tension. For example, "Emily had known for some time who was taking the things, but it was only tonight she decided to do something about it" (Jackson). This is causing tension between Emily and the person stealing because she still hasn't said anything to the person stealing. Another example of something not said causing tension is, "She was about 60." More than twice as old as I am" (Jackson). This is causing more tension because Emily probably thinks she should know better since she is almost double her age. In all, there is clear tension from what isn't being said. …show more content…

One example of this is, "He felt bad enough about having lied to the doctor and maybe even himself" (Lupica). This shows that tension is occurring because he isn't telling the truth. Another example of this is, "It was one of those killer silences parents gave you sometimes, in person or over the phone, when they were trying to make you keep talking" (Lupica). This clearly creates more tension because no one is talking and both characters are upset. All in all, there is tension occurring from what isn't said by both

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