Both
the Supernatural episode, "The Monster at the End of this Book" and
Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" manipulate the reader
or viewer through their mediums. Both rely on the audience’s imagination and
emotion, their ability to connect with the story. This emotion is often evoked through the use
of detail. In the Supernatural episode,
the reader connects with the setting, which is often dark and dreary. This
follows well with the plot, which dooms Dean and Sam to a fate determined by
Chuck’s visions. The deep voices and stressful conversations, aided by the
acting of the actors, contribute to the mood in the episode, and presumably the
rest of the show. The cinematography also adds to the suspense. As with the
fading letters on the motel sign (which end up spelling “Red”) leave the viewer
in a helpless position – in possession of more knowledge than any of the
characters and with nothing to do about it. Occasionally, the viewer is
reminded of this position with comments on the plot. The story is seen as a
story when it is presented in book form within the show. Comments on the
written stories point out how cliché it can be. Perhaps this only sucks the
viewer in further though, as it may be seen as a story within a story.
Bierce’s
story also manipulates the viewer with the tools available. The story is
largely seen from the perspective of Farquhar, as the reader is largely only
able to follow his story specifically. The vivid details, especially in Farquhar’s
escape feed the reader’s imagination, attaching him or her more to the story. Without
visuals, the reader relies purely on the details provided. Here, the writer has
more power than a director or producer, because of his ability to play with
perspective with ease. While the story is told in the third person, the reader
easily connects with the character as he sees and feels the things seen and
felt by Farquhar. Both the episode and story reveal the creator’s
(writer/director) ability to manipulate.
I agree with your idea that writers are able to manipulate and "play with" the reader's emotions and perceptions using details. I feel that writers of literature have to compensate for the lack of visual stimuli for their audience by crating vivid details and specific imagery and symbolism. One example of this in Bierce's story is the dark and seemingly endless road that Peyton trudges along, which foreshadows his return to reality, and his death.
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