1. First-person narration: The story is told from the perspective of the protagonist, Tom, who is trapped in a phone booth. This immediately draws the reader into his thoughts and anxieties, intensifying the sense of claustrophobia and desperation.
2. Internal monologue: Dahl uses Tom's thoughts and internal dialogue to reveal his growing fear and desperation. We see his mind racing, trying to find a solution, and becoming increasingly panicked.
3. Suspense and tension: The story is built around the ticking clock of Tom's limited time. The reader is constantly aware of the impending danger, creating a palpable sense of suspense. The lack of explanation for Tom's situation, the mystery surrounding his pursuers, and the limited resources available to him contribute to the tension.
4. Foreshadowing: Dahl hints at Tom's potential fate early on. The ominous presence of the "men" and the mention of "things" that are "bad" for him foreshadow the danger that lies ahead.
5. Symbolism: The phone booth itself can be seen as a symbol of entrapment and isolation. Tom is literally trapped within it, but it also represents his psychological state of being caught in a situation he cannot escape.
6. Irony: The irony lies in the fact that Tom is surrounded by modern technology (the phone booth, the telephone) but they are of no use to him in his desperate situation. The irony further highlights the absurdity of his predicament.
7. Surrealism: The story has an element of surrealism with its unexplained events and the menacing presence of the "men." This contributes to the eerie and unsettling atmosphere.
8. Cliffhanger ending: The story ends abruptly, leaving the reader with a sense of uncertainty about Tom's fate. This encourages the reader to imagine possible outcomes and ponder the story's unsettling implications.
By employing these literary devices, Roald Dahl effectively creates a chilling and thought-provoking story that explores themes of fear, isolation, and the fragility of human life in the face of unknown forces.