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Whistle and I'll Come to You (From the Woman in Black)

Susan Hill

Ideas

Arthur Kipps is the protagonist, who tells the story of his early professional days as a solicitor. He visited
Crythin Gifford for a job that focused around Eel Marsh House. Here, he heard many unexplained noises,
which the local community then informs him are from ‘The Woman in Black’, a well known ghostly figure
known in the area. The story discusses the death of a child, which consequently leads to the deaths of many
other children, most notably his own wife and child.

Context

‘Whistle and I’ll Come To You’ is an extract from ‘The Woman In Black.’ This was made into a film. Daniel
Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, is the protagonist. Gothic literature is often extremely dark and
descriptive. It aims to create a sense of fear and dread. Often, Gothic literature is focused around one scary
setting, such as an ancient house. There is usually one character who instils fear in our main protagonist. It
is often associated with the 19th and 20th century.

Author’s purpose

Susan Hill was born in England and she is known for her Gothic style, famously writing many ghost stories.
She uses description to create suspense.

Language

Personification

Personification is the assignment of animate (living) features to inanimate (non-living) objects. At the
beginning of the extract the:

‘Windows were rattling everywhere and there was the sound of moaning down all the chimneys of the
house and whistling through every nook and cranny.’

Note how the chimneys sounded as though they were complaining and unhappy. This sets the mood for the
rest of the extract.

Range of sentences

Sentence length is used to build tension:

‘I listened hard. Nothing. The tumult of the wind, like a banshee, and the banging and rattling of the
window in its old, ill-fitting frame. Then yes, again, a cry, that familiar cry of desperation and anguish, a cry
for help from a child somewhere out on the marsh. There was no child. I knew that. How could there be?
Yet how could I lie here and ignore even the crying of some long dead ghost?’

Within this section, simple sentences, rhetorical questions and complex sentences are all intertwined,
creating a tense atmosphere.

Gothic vocabulary

Words that create a Gothic atmosphere are important within the extract. Note the spooky setting:
‘disturbed’, ‘alone’, ‘night’ and ‘rage.’

Many adjectives are used to create the creepy setting.

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Structure

The opening of the extract is highly descriptive. This sets the scene for the remainder of the novel and
highlights the tension.

As the extract progresses, it becomes darker and more gothic. However, it is towards the end that:

‘The first thing I must have was a light’.

Arthur uses the light to break the darkness that was created. It is only then that he is comforted by Spider,
who provides warmth in the cold atmosphere: ‘hugged’ is one of the few positive verbs provided.

Exam practice

Here are 3 example essays that you could practice. You must consider the use of language and structure in
your answer:

Major Topics to Practice:

The tension in ‘Whistle and I’ll Come to You’

Here's how tension is presented in the story:

1. Atmospheric Description: Hill utilizes atmospheric description to create a sense of foreboding from
the very beginning. The desolate and windswept beach setting, with its sense of isolation and vast
emptiness, sets the stage for the unfolding mystery and amplifies the tension.

2. Slow-Building Suspense: The tension in the story builds gradually, with Hill skillfully layering
suspenseful elements throughout the narrative. From the protagonist's initial encounter with the
strange whistle on the beach to his subsequent experiences with the supernatural, each event
ratchets up the tension, leaving the reader on edge and eager to uncover the truth.

3. Uncertainty and Ambiguity: Hill introduces elements of uncertainty and ambiguity, leaving certain
aspects of the story open to interpretation. The true nature of the supernatural presence haunting
Arthur Kipps remains shrouded in mystery, adding to the sense of unease and keeping the reader
guessing until the very end.

4. Psychological Horror: Much of the tension in the story stems from psychological horror, as Arthur
Kipps grapples with his own growing sense of fear and paranoia. Hill delves into Kipps' inner
thoughts and emotions, allowing the reader to experience his terror firsthand and intensifying the
overall atmosphere of dread.

5. Foreshadowing and Symbolism: Hill employs foreshadowing and symbolism to further heighten the
tension. The recurring motif of the whistle, for example, serves as a harbinger of the supernatural
events to come, while other symbols, such as the menacing figure on the beach, add layers of
meaning and depth to the story.

The sense of fear in ‘Whistle and I’ll Come to You’

In Susan Hill's "Whistle and I'll Come to You," the sense of fear is skilfully presented through several key
elements:

1. Atmosphere: Hill creates a haunting and eerie atmosphere throughout the story. The setting of a
desolate beach, with its isolation and vast emptiness, contributes to a feeling of vulnerability and
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unease. The wind-swept landscape and the relentless sound of the sea add to the sense of isolation
and foreboding.

2. Isolation: The protagonist, Arthur Kipps, finds himself alone in an unfamiliar and remote location.
This sense of isolation amplifies the fear of the unknown and intensifies the feeling of being
vulnerable to unseen dangers.

3. The Supernatural: Hill introduces elements of the supernatural gradually, building suspense and
tension. The strange apparition that Kipps encounters on the beach is initially glimpsed from a
distance, its true nature obscured by fog and darkness. As the story progresses, the supernatural
presence becomes more menacing and terrifying, manifesting itself in increasingly ominous ways.

4. Psychological Horror: Much like M.R. James, Hill delves into the psychological aspects of fear. Kipps'
growing sense of dread and paranoia, as well as his struggle to comprehend the inexplicable events
unfolding around him, heighten the tension and contribute to the overall atmosphere of fear.

5. Ambiguity: Hill leaves certain aspects of the story open to interpretation, allowing the reader's
imagination to fill in the gaps. This ambiguity adds to the sense of uncertainty and dread, as it
suggests that the true nature of the supernatural presence may never be fully understood or
explained.

How is the protagonist presented in ‘Whistle and I’ll Come to You’?

In Susan Hill's "Whistle and I'll Come to You," the protagonist, Arthur Kipps, is presented as a rational and
skeptical individual who becomes increasingly vulnerable to the supernatural forces he encounters. Here's
how the protagonist is portrayed:

1. Rational and Sceptical: Arthur Kipps is initially depicted as a rational and pragmatic man. As a
solicitor by profession, he approaches life with a logical mindset and is sceptical of anything that
cannot be explained by reason or evidence. This scepticism serves as a contrast to the supernatural
events he later experiences, highlighting the profound impact they have on his worldview.

2. Curiosity and Ambition: Despite his scepticism, Kipps is also portrayed as curious and ambitious.
His decision to visit Eel Marsh House, despite its ominous reputation, is driven by a desire to
succeed in his professional endeavours and prove himself capable of handling difficult assignments.
This ambition ultimately leads him into the heart of the story's supernatural mystery.

3. Vulnerability and Fear: As the story unfolds and Kipps encounters increasingly disturbing
phenomena, his rational facade begins to crumble, revealing a deeply vulnerable and frightened
individual. Hill skilfully portrays Kipps' growing sense of dread and paranoia as he struggles to make
sense of the inexplicable events unfolding around him. His vulnerability makes him a relatable and
sympathetic character, drawing the reader into his emotional journey.

4. Transformation: Throughout the course of the story, Kipps undergoes a profound transformation.
The rational, sceptical man we meet at the beginning of the novella is gradually replaced by a
haunted and traumatized figure, consumed by fear and desperation. This transformation serves as a
powerful exploration of the human psyche and the devastating impact of encountering the
unknown.

Overall, Arthur Kipps is presented as a complex and multi-dimensional protagonist whose journey from
scepticism to terror forms the heart of Susan Hill's "Whistle and I'll Come to You." His character arc serves
as a vehicle for exploring themes of fear, vulnerability, and the limits of human understanding.