Murdoch uses many techniques to produce sympathy for Dora in the reader such as interior disclosure and the negative appearance and actions of Paul. The first three chapters are written mostly from Dora's perspective. This has the effect of connecting the reader with Dora and alienated the reader from Paul who acts aggressively and is not given thoughts to justify this.

One way Murdoch produces sympathy for Dora in the reader is by giving the reader an insight into Dora's state of mind. In the opening paragraph this is noticed: "Dora suffered from guilt, and with guilt came fear." Later Murdoch tells the reader that Dora "had never valued herself highly." By allowing the reader to understand how Dora feels about herself, which is very negatively, one can...