The early knock
An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.
Each morning, before the rest of the house woke, Sarah lit the kitchen fire, filled the kettle and set out six cups. The kettle began its cheerful muttering, while the clock ticked steadily above the dresser. Soon the baker’s cart would rattle into the lane. There was comfort in knowing what would happen next.
On this morning, three knocks struck the back door before the cart arrived. Sarah looked up. “Who is there?” she called. There was no reply. She waited, and the knock came again, softer now: two slow taps instead of three. The kettle continued to mutter, but it no longer sounded cheerful. Sarah crossed the kitchen. Before she reached the bolt, the strip of daylight beneath the door darkened, then cleared. Behind her, the clock counted seven slow strokes.
The atmosphere of the kitchen changes during the passage. Analyse how this change is created through language and structure.
In your answer, you should consider:
Support your answer with references to the passage.