Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this story.

How does the author create surprise in "The Horseman in the Sky"?


He reveals that the soldier on watch lowers his gun in response to the prospect of shooting another person.

He slows the pace and startles the reader by having the watchman hesitate twice before firing.

He creates unusual contrasts such as the height of the cliffs and the dooryard size of the meadow.

He allows the reader to view the horse and its rider falling from the perspective of the soldier at the foot of the cliff.