Set In Darkness Essay Example
Set In Darkness Essay Example

Set In Darkness Essay Example

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"Set In Darkness" by Ian Rankin is a novel with a dramatic and socking ending. Rankin creates this effect by portraying the protagonist, John Rebus as willing to do anything in order to arrest the criminals in the story. During Rebus's investigation into a body found in a fireplace in Queensberry House and also the murder of prospective MSP Roddy Grieve, he uncovers political corruption over 20 years involving Edinburgh's main gangland criminal, Big Ger Cafferty. In addition, there is also a smaller upstart, Barry Hutton, who is causing countless problems for everyone. Cafferty takes Rebus for a showdown with Hatton.

Hutton attacks Rebus who passes out, waking up to discover him missing, knowing Cafferty has killed him but has no way of proving it.Ranking added mounting suspense and up until the last chapter, the reader is still un

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aware of the outcome. The thought provoking characterisation, evocative language, and interesting structure added to my appreciation and gave me a deeper understanding of the novel as a whole.Ian Rankin created a vivid and surprising ending which successfully added to my appreciation of the novel by his thought provoking characterisation.

From the outset of the novel, the reader is introduced to an absorbing protagonist, Detective Inspector John Rebus. In the beginning, he is part of the 'Policing of Parliament Committee' and is finding it a dreadfully tedious job."He stepped out into the cold and breathed deeply, then searched his pockets for cigarettes ..

. and a drink would go down too well."From this quotation, the reader is made to sympathise with his character. The reader is aware that Rebus has had a hard day by the use o

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the words 'breathed deeply' and requires a break from his monotonous daily job. In addition, the reader is also brought closer to the character, which helps the reader appreciate the reasons why he has faults and weaknesses like drinking and smoking. As a result of this, you are made to believe that this character would not act irrationally under any circumstances.

As the novel progressed, the shocking ending seemed even more dubious because Rebus' character is more fully developed showing his lifestyle. My appreciation was greatly increased at this point in the novel."Rebus walked from room to room in his flat, waiting for the grill to heat up. Toasted cheese: that most solitary of meals. You never saw it on menus, never invited friends around to share a few slices. It was what you ate when you were alone.

"In this extract, the central character is portrayed as a man who leads a very mundane life, the words 'solitary' and 'alone' help to emphasise this point. My appreciation was enlarged mid point in the novel because of the brilliant characterisation techniques used by Rankin.In the closing part of the novel, the reader learns of the dramatic ending. My enjoyment of the novel is heightened here since Rankin creates suspense leading up to the last chapter so you are unaware of what is to follow. Rebus has been lured into a warehouse and Barry Hutton proceeds to assault him."Another blow, this time bursting Rebus's nose open.

Tears pounded his eyes. He tried blinking them away. Oh, Jesus Christ that hurt."In the finale, John Rebus found himself in a life-threatening situation. My appreciation of the novel is increased here

because of the author's use of effective sentence structure.

Rankin's use of short sentences in this quotation gives the reader the impression that they are inside Rebus's head, feeling, and thinking the same way as him.Ian Rankin's use of evocative language has helped to create the dramatic and violent ending while simultaneously adding to my appreciation of the novel overall. Rebus, his work colleague, Siobhan, and several others are attending the funeral of Mackie, who had committed suicide due to overwhelming pressure and a past life coming back to haunt him. The inquiry into his death brought to life new leads relating to the central investigation."A bleak occasion; a bleak spot.

"This quotation is powerful in describing and setting the scene to follow. The author's repetition of the word 'bleak' emphasises the tone of the novel at this point in the story. My understanding of the novel is increased, as the tone is the first indication that something wrong might happen.The author's use of an interesting and disjointed structure helped to produce the exciting and shocking ending. The disjointed structure had a major influence on my appreciation of the novel as a whole. Rebus interviewed many relatives of the deceased, Roddy Grieve, including his widow Seona.

While she was recounting their time together, from childhood, Rebus was provoked into reminiscing his own memories."Ice cream and deckchairs, bags of chips on the walk back to the caravan. Games of putting, trips to Craigtoun Park. There was a miniature train there, you sat on it and ended up in some woods with little elfin houses."The reader is introduced to Rebus's upbringing. It provokes the reader into thinking of

their happy childhood memories and the author's use of the words 'elfin houses' again makes think that something enjoyable is about to happen.

My appreciation of the novel is expanded since the tone of the story at this point is cheerful by the words 'ice cream' and 'deckchairs' provokes the reader into thinking of holidays and happy memories.Another way in which the novel has a disjointed structure is that Ian Rankin tells the story from all the main characters point of view. This panorama of thoughts adds to the melodramatic and astonishing ending while simultaneously adding to my admiration of the novel as a whole. Throughout the novel the change in a scene form one person to another changes several times in each chapter. As the reader nears the end of the book the pace of the changes quickens suddenly and the reader has difficulty keeping up with everyone's situation. This multiple point of view creates the shocking ending since the reader wants the characters stories to have a happy conclusion because of the ordeals they have come through during the course of the novel.

In addition, the trauma which John Rebus is submitted to at the hands of Barry Hutton is described in far more disturbing detail than any of the other victims.The novel "Set In Darkness" by Ian Rankin is a novel, which has a startling and dreadful ending. Rankin creates this effect by portraying the protagonist, John Rebus willing to do anything to catch the criminals in the story. The ending is quite out of character from the rest of the novel, which makes it so surprising. The masterful characterisation, effective language,

and disjointed structure added to my perception of the novel as a whole.

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