Little Stranger: Chapter 1

Little Stranger: Chapter 1

1. Supernatural

   • Page 13: Betty is the only person to recognize that there is a supernatural presence in the home > links to the idea that stereotypically, children are seers

2. Setting

   • PAGE 5 first description > gothic desriptions + human like qualities
     • PAGE 31 - the setting when Faraday leaves + the staircase

3. Character

   • Betty
     • Associated with the supernatural from the start
       • PAGES 13-15
   • Faraday
     • Transgressive nature of being a doctor > the way he acts with betty and the way it's described e.g exposing her stomach
       • PAGE 10 + 11
     • Is instantly introduced as unreliable and sleptical character through his proffession as a doctor > proffessional + cold stereotypically
     • The house changes his behaviour > HINTS HE IS THE LITTLE STRANGER? > his attitude changes due to his love of the house
       • PAGE 2 + 3 > E.G "I was an obedient child as a rule" or "I wasn't a spiteful or destructive boy"
     • Think's he's a higher class than he is - has a sense of entitlement
       • PAGE 2+3 he was "entitled" to the acorn
         • PAGE 17 "That Faraday grated on me" > he thinks he should be of a higher status
   • Caroline
     • Immediately described as boring and not special etc.
       • Her introduction on PAGES 8-9
   • Roderick
     • Described as a potential monster but also a potential victim
       • PAGE 6 with the footsteps at the door > classic gothic/villanous BUT also commonly described as "boyish" > victimizes him by making him vulnerable

4. Class

   • Faraday's distaste for how they treat him > shows how his achieved status still doesn't outweigh the ascribed status of the gentry
     • PAGE 17 - Rod's treatment of Faraday
   • Opinions of class also shown through character
     • Mistreatment of Betty
       • PAGE 27: Rod calls Betty a "moron" and treats her with distaste
   • Never find out Mrs Ayres first name > class issue?