The narrow lane

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

The lane narrowed after the third cottage. At first, Thomas could see the fields through gaps in the hedge. Farther on, the branches joined above his head, and the horse lowered its ears. He urged it forward. The wheels of a cart sounded behind them, too close for comfort. There was nowhere to turn aside.

At the bend, a fallen tree blocked the road. Thomas pulled the reins and called to the driver behind him. The cart continued for several yards before stopping. The horse shifted beneath him, its hooves scraping the stones. He could no longer see either open field or cottage. Ahead lay the tree; behind, the cart filled the lane.

Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to show the rider’s increasing sense of being trapped. Support your answer with references to the passage.