The suspense in the opening lines of the novel "The Desert" by author Jihad Al-Rajabi

Abstract

      Textual thresholds are the primary keys relied upon by the novelist to establish interaction between the reader and the text. They represent a core aspect in shaping the reader's expectations and creating suspense during the reading process. These thresholds serve as the first aesthetic entrance that attracts readers and enhances their desire to engage with the novel. This research highlights the role of these thresholds in generating suspense for the reader, as each of the cover art, title, dedication, and preface contribute to capturing the reader's attention and excitement. The novelist has employed these thresholds as an effective tool to draw the reader in and stimulate their desire to read the novel.

     Textual thresholds are essential elements that attract readers to the literary text; they are the first step in communication between the text and the reader. The three thresholds in the desert novel are a fundamental entry point for the text, contributing to the creation of suspense and maintaining a strong relationship between the reader and the narrative text...