Genre
psychological thriller
Setting and Context
present time, Australia
Narrator and Point of View
Narrator: omniscient;
Point of view: third person
Tone and Mood
Tense, nightmarish, contemplative
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: Frances; Antagonist: Masha
Major Conflict
Nine strangers come to a resort called the Tranqullium House for relaxation from the outside world. They slowly begin to notice the unconventional way things work there.
Climax
Frances cracks Masha's riddle and realizes that no one actually tried to open the door with the door handle, and discovers that the doors were unlocked the entire time.
Foreshadowing
"Their destinies were in her hands. She was going to change them not just temporarily, but forever."
-Masha after meeting the nine guests and her plans to play with their lives.
Understatement
"Gillian always slipped out of parties without saying goodbye."
-about Frances's friend who died suddenly and unexpectedly in her sleep
Allusions
n/a
Imagery
Imagery of the place Tranquillium house, an old mansion that was turned into a resort and the impact it has on the guests.
Paradox
"There was something about Masha that reminded Frances of a friend from university who had been both egocentric and deeply insecure."
Parallelism
"This, Frances. This beauty. Just on the other side. You just have to be quiet. Stay still. Stop talking. Stop wanting. Just be."
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Nine perfect strangers-referring to the guests that have come to unintentionally put their fates into Masha's hands
Personification
"The silence made her thoughts scream."