Question

he chuckled once more at her words. “we’ll take a chance on that,” he said. “i’ve made my pile by taking chances. if i should die, you can do as you please. the stuff will be yours.”
“the law doesn’t call it murder if i shoot a thief who is entering my house by force,” he said harshly. “also, the use of rat poison is quite legal. the only way any rat can get into this closet is to break in. what happens then is his affair, not mine.”
“don’t do it, judson,” she begged. “the law doesn’t punish burglary by death; so what right have you - ”
“when it comes to protecting my property i make my own laws.” his deep voice suggested a big dog growling at threatened loss of a bone.
“but all they did was to steal a little liquor,” she pleaded. “probably some boys off on a lark. they didn’t do any real damage.”
“that’s not the point,” he said. “if a man holds me up and robs me of five dollars it makes me just as sore as if he took a hundred. a thief’s a thief.”
she made one last effort. “we won’t be here till next spring. i can’t bear to think of that deathtrap waiting there all the time. suppose something happens to us - and no one knows

1. write: which suspense - building techniques does the author use in paragraphs 17 - 23, point of view, and/or conflict? list all that apply.

1. write: explain how this section builds suspense

Explanation:

The text presents a conflict between two characters over the use of lethal force against thieves. Suspense is built through the back - and - forth dialogue about the legality and morality of actions, the threat of the death trap, and the uncertainty of what will happen if a thief enters. The mention of waiting until next spring also adds to the sense of anticipation.

Answer:

The author uses dialogue to create a conflict between the characters regarding the use of force against thieves. Suspense is built through the discussion of the legality of rat poison, the threat of the death trap, and the uncertainty of future events such as what will happen if a thief enters. The waiting period until next spring also contributes to the suspense.