How is 'The Catbird Seat' by James Thurber structured to produce tension and increase reader interest?

Answer 1

The story opens with Mr. Martin contemplating murdering a woman who has not yet been introduced into the story. The reader's interest is piqued and wants to know what this woman has done to deserve such treatment. A few paragraphs later, Mrs. Barrows is introduced and the reader instantly agrees that she needs to be murdered. Interest is immediately increased because the reader wonders how the murder will be committed. Tension is produced because the reader wonders why it is taking so long. Had Mrs. Barrows been introduced first and the murder plot second, the reader might have become so annoyed with Mrs. Barrows as to put the story down at once.

Answer 2

"The Catbird Seat" by James Thurber is structured to create tension through the juxtaposition of the characters' perspectives and intentions. The alternating viewpoints between Mr. Martin and Mrs. Barrows build suspense as the reader anticipates how their battle of wits will unfold. The use of dramatic irony also contributes to the rising tension as the reader knows more than the characters, heightening interest in the outcome of the story.

Answer 3

Suspense is aroused by the fact that Mr. Martin has carefully planned (and explained to the reader) that he intends to murder Mrs. Barrows by getting into her apartment unseen. He is careful not to be seen by people who may identify him, but he walks by several people. And so moves forward. He knocks on the door of the apartment and is let in. And so moves forward. She is friendly toward him and suspects nothing. And so he moves forward. She is out of the room while he searches for an appropriate weapon, the last stage of his plan before the actual murder. Will he or won't he find the murder weapon before she returns to the parlor? No. But then what will happen to Mr. Martin when Mrs. Barrows reports the things he has said. Will Martin be fired? Arrested? Jailed? An animated discussion goes on between Mrs. Barrows and the boss making it obvious that the boss now knows everything. He summons Martin inside. Why? What does Mr. Fitweiler know?

You will have to read the story to find out. You'll agree that the suspense at its highest arousal always results in a more intense climax.