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What does silence represent in the novella?
It reflects Victorian repression: characters avoid speaking openly to protect reputation and suppress truth. (Throughout)
How does the form of the novella reinforce silence?
Most revelations come through documents, not dialogue, showing characters are silent about the truth. (Chapters 9–10)
How does the narrative structure highlight silence?
Enfield and Utterson speculate instead of discussing facts, showing avoidance of uncomfortable truths. (Chapter 1)
What does Enfield mean by ‘the more it looks like Queer Street, the less I ask’?
He avoids prying into others’ difficulties; silence is part of his moral code. (Chapter 1)
What does ‘Queer Street’ suggest?
A colloquialism implying trouble; Enfield’s refusal to ask questions shows societal pressure to remain silent. (Chapter 1)
What does Enfield’s ‘long tongue’ reveal?
He criticises himself for gossiping, showing tension between curiosity and the expectation of silence. (Chapter 1)
How does silence relate to secrecy and reputation?
Characters refuse to speak to avoid damaging themselves or others, reinforcing Victorian social anxiety. (Throughout)
How does silence shape the reader’s experience?
Key information is withheld until the final chapters, creating suspense and mystery. (Chapters 9–10)
How does silence reflect Victorian values?
Society prioritised restraint and propriety, so characters avoid discussing anything improper. (Throughout)
How does silence contribute to the gothic atmosphere?
Unspoken horrors and withheld truths create tension and fear. (Throughout)
