Genre
Novel
Setting and Context
The novel is written in the context of a dark, compelling past.
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narrative
Tone and Mood
Somber, resentful, sad, hopeless, frustrating
Protagonist and Antagonist
Somber, resentful, sad, hopeless, frustrating
Major Conflict
George arrives home and finds his wife viciously massacred. Unfortunately, George becomes the main suspect in his wife’s death.
Climax
The climax is attained when the reader hints that George is the prime suspect in his wife's death. For instance, Catherine wanted to leave George for good, and after packing her possessions together, she revealed to George that she wanted to leave. George could not take it and killed her.
Foreshadowing
The couple's troubled marriage foreshadowed doom. Later, Catherine died in mysterious circumstances, and Franny lived a frustrated life. Similarly, from the onset of the novel, it is foreshadowed that George killed his wife.
Understatement
The subscriptions of George being the main suspect in his wife's murder are understated. It is later revealed that George was the main suspect in the death of his wife.
Allusions
The story alludes to marriage aggravations and the despondency that couples go through.
Imagery
The imagery of sight is enhanced at the beginning of the book by describing Hale's farm portrait. This opening imagery plays a critical part in the novel's plot and setting. Through the description of the portrait, readers can see the farm from an imaginary perspective.
Paradox
The main paradox is that Franny reunites with Cole, her babysitter, due to life frustrations. It is also satirical that despite George being depicted as a responsible man, it is revealed that he was abusive towards his wife, and he is the prime suspect in her murder.
Parallelism
The ghost story parallels Catharine’s troubled life.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
‘Ghosts’ refer to bad tormenting memories of the past.
Personification
N/A
