The Red Room Questions and answers
1. Describe how HG Wells uses imagery description to build suspense.
Ans: H.G. Wells employs vivid imagery and detailed descriptions to create an atmosphere
of suspense throughout "The Red Room." The initial setting is established with descriptions
of the old house, characterized by its "shadowy" and "chilly" corridors, which evoke feelings
of unease. The protagonist's observations of the "gaunt silences" and "bent carriage" of the
caretakers amplify the sense of foreboding.
As he prepares to enter the Red Room, the imagery shifts to a more oppressive quality; the
room is described as having "dusty brown-red hangings" and "dark gigantic furniture,"
which seem to loom and obscure the light. The descriptions of shadows "cowering and
quivering" and the echoes of his footsteps contribute to a claustrophobic sense of
entrapment, suggesting that something sinister is lurking just out of sight.
The gradual extinguishing of the candles further heightens the suspense, as each
extinguished flame symbolizes a loss of safety and clarity, plunging the protagonist deeper
into darkness and fear. The tension culminates in the protagonist's frantic struggle against
the encroaching darkness, making the reader feel his mounting panic and desperation.
2. Analyse the significance of the candles in the story and explain how they represent the
protagonist's battle fear against fear.
Ans: The candles in "The Red Room" serve as a critical symbol of the protagonist's battle
against fear. Initially, they provide light and a sense of security in the oppressive
environment of the room. As he lights the candles, he attempts to dispel the darkness,
which represents his rational mind confronting the irrational fear of the supernatural.
However, as the candles begin to extinguish one by one, they symbolize the protagonist's
loss of control and the overpowering nature of fear. The act of trying to relight them
reflects his struggle to maintain his composure and rationality in the face of terror. Each
candle that goes out represents a step deeper into darkness—both literally and
metaphorically.
Ultimately, when the fire itself dwindles and disappears, it signifies not only the
extinguishing of physical light but also the extinguishing of hope and rational thought. The
protagonist's flight from the room becomes a visceral representation of succumbing to fear,
suggesting that fear itself can be more haunting and debilitating than any ghost.
3. Discuss the role of the caretakers in "the red room".
Ans: The caretakers in "The Red Room" play a crucial role in setting the tone and enhancing
the themes of fear and the supernatural. Their physical decrepitude and eccentric behavior
create an atmosphere of dread and uncertainty. The man with the withered arm and the
old woman, with her ominous comments, serve to reinforce the idea that the house is a
place of dark history and unspoken horrors.
Their insistence that the protagonist will face the supernatural—“It’s your own choosing”—
functions as both a warning and a challenge. This statement highlights their own cowardice
and inability to confront the fear that the room embodies. They represent the older
generation's superstitions and the lingering shadows of the past, which the protagonist, in
his rationality, seeks to challenge.
Furthermore, their reactions to the protagonist's journey into the Red Room illustrate the
generational divide regarding fear and the supernatural. While he approaches the
experience with skepticism and bravado, they know the weight of the house's history and
the psychological burden it carries. Their role emphasizes that fear is not just a personal
struggle but a shared legacy, haunting those who dwell within the old walls.
