How does Roald Dahl create suspense in 'The Way Up to Heaven'?

He often uses unexpected twists. For example, in some stories, he starts with a seemingly ordinary situation like a person traveling and then suddenly something very strange happens.

Dahl creates suspense through the situation itself. A man lying in bed with a supposed poisonous snake on his chest is a very tense scenario. The reader is immediately drawn into the danger and the unknown of whether the snake will move or bite.

The story is about a woman named Mrs. Foster who is extremely punctual. Her husband, on the other hand, always makes her late. One day, she is supposed to catch a plane. Her husband's delaying tactics seem on purpose. When she finally leaves for the airport, she discovers the lift in their house is stuck. Later it is revealed that her husband was trapped in the lift and she leaves him there as she heads to the airport, never to return.

Well, the theme of 'The Way Up to Heaven' is really about power dynamics in a relationship. Mrs. Foster is often at the mercy of her husband's actions and schedule. But when she finally has the upper hand, it shows how the tables can turn. It also touches on the idea of suppressed feelings and how they can lead to extreme actions. Mrs. Foster has endured so much from her husband's thoughtless behavior, like his habitual lateness, and in the end, she doesn't save him from the stuck lift, which is a huge shift in their power relationship.

Roald Dahl creates suspense in 'The Landlady' in multiple ways. First, he sets the scene in a rather quiet and lonely boarding house. The landlady's eagerness to have the young man stay is a bit too much. Then, as the story progresses, little details like the fact that the previous guests never left and the strange smell in the house all add to the suspense. The reader starts to suspect that something is not right, but Dahl keeps the real danger just out of reach, making us keep reading to find out.

Mrs. Foster is a woman who values being on time above almost everything. She gets very anxious when she is about to be late. Her husband, in contrast, is a character who seems to be oblivious to her need for punctuality. He casually does things that hold her up, like taking his time with simple tasks. This difference in their personalities creates the main conflict in the story.

Dahl uses vivid descriptions. For example, in some stories, he describes the settings in great detail. Dark, creaky old houses with strange noises and shadows are common. This immediately sets a spooky mood.

Dahl may use the local animals in his descriptions. The presence of wild animals like lions or elephants can add to the atmosphere. Their behaviors and the threat they pose can create a feeling of unease or excitement. He might also describe the sounds and smells of Africa, which all contribute to the overall atmosphere.

Roald Dahl often gives his characters very distinct quirks. For example, in 'The Landlady', the landlady has this overly friendly yet very creepy demeanor. Her fixation on taxidermy and her strange behavior towards her guests make her a unique and memorable character.

Roald Dahl often uses the element of the unexpected. He sets up normal situations at first and then suddenly throws in something strange. Like in some stories, the characters seem ordinary but then they do or experience something completely out of the ordinary, which makes the atmosphere spooky.