Here's how:
* Implied Questions: The ballad relies on implied questions and answers. For example, the mother's repeated pleas for her son to tell her what he has done ("What have you done, my son, my son? / What have you done, my dear? / I fear you have slain your brother dear.") imply questions about the truth. Edward's evasive answers ("Why do you ask me such a thing, / Mother, when I have no fear? / It is but a little bird that I have killed, / And laid it under this greenwood tree.") further fuel the reader's suspicions.
* Indirect Questioning: The ballad also uses indirect questioning through statements that reveal hidden intentions. For example, the mother's statement ("I saw you, Edward, in your chamber, / Your hands and your beard were all of blood.") implicitly questions Edward about his actions. This indirect questioning creates a sense of tension and suspense, as the reader anticipates Edward's response.
* The Narrative as an Answer: The ballad's unfolding narrative acts as a gradual answer to the implied questions. The dialogue, combined with the narrative's progression, piece together the truth about Edward's crime. Each stanza reveals a bit more about the truth, leading the reader closer to the tragic end.
In essence, the ballad uses a subtle form of question and answer by creating a dialogue that reflects the mother's increasing suspicion and Edward's attempts to conceal the truth. This technique generates suspense and keeps the reader engaged in the narrative, leading to a powerful and tragic climax.