Rosemary Timperley’s “Harry” (1955)

<p><strong>This is a ghost story</strong>&nbsp;that succeeds in mystifying the reader. The literary devices used by Rosemary Timperley reveal how technical a great short story writer must be, particularly a great ghost story writer. However, the reading does not seem technical. &ldquo;Harry&rdquo; reads both naturally and intriguingly. That is the true skill of a masterclass writer.</p> <h2>Repetitive Designation</h2> <p>The narrative hook is Mrs. James&rsquo; fear of ordinary things. &ldquo;Such ordinary things make me afraid. Sunshine. Sharp shadows on grass. White roses. Children with red hair. And the name &mdash; Harry&rdquo; (p. 33). While they may be ordinary, this is an extraordinary way to begin a story. The scene portrays a bucolic life, initially evoking a pleasant image. However, the following paragraph, Mrs. James confesses that she &ldquo;felt a premonition of fear&rdquo; after she heard the name, Harry (p. 33). The tone of the story shifts.</p> <p><a href="https://medium.com/@Brantzeg/rosemary-timperleys-harry-1955-e826e77fa2a1"><strong>Read More</strong></a></p>