Hello folks! 'Tis the season for scares, am I right? The time when witches reign, goblins maraude, and ghouls creep forth to feed. Graves yawn wide to retch up their residents and myriad monsters loom within the periphery. We mere mortals are at the mercy of villainy and mischievousness far and wide. What are we to do but review the scariest stories and legends of all time? Let's get down to business, if you dare. Links to full text of each work are provided. I recommend readings in full.
5. "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe (1842). After the titular pandemic decimates his populace, Prince Prospero gathers a thousand of his closest friends and shuts them off from the rest of the world until the disease burns itself out. He throws a bash for the ages, setting up seven royal suites to host his masquerade ball. Unfortunately, an uninvited guest makes his(?) way into the midst of the revelers and even more unfortunately bears the infection of the Red Death. Poe's story is rich in symbolism, using color and sensory images to expand the horror. One of the eeriest stories you'll ever run your eyes across.
4. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving (1820). Who among us is unfamiliar with the lanky pedagogue Ichabod Crane and Brom Bones, his rabble-rousing arch-rival for the hand of Katrina van Tassel? When in doubt about losng your beloved to the newcomer in town, resort to trickery...which is exactly what Bones does. The Headless Horseman is one of the most beloved monsters in literature and with good reason. Am I wrong?
3. "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs (1902). Be careful what you wish for is the moral of this story. A talisman traded, a wish desired, an unexpected payment. All the makings of a classic and enduring horror story.
2. "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1835). Set during the Salem witch trials, our hero encounters in a dark forest bizarre people (a dangerous stranger) and events (a witch's Sabbath) that lead him to distrust his new wife, his religion, and humanity in general. Scary stuff for the faithful.
1. "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James (1898). Perhaps the best ghost story ever written, this novella leans on ambiguity and turn of phrase to frame its narrative. The story centers on siblings Miles and Flora left in custody of their uncle who has no interest in raising them and leaves the duty to a housekeeper who sees strange apparitions about the grounds of the estate. Spooky stuff ensues.
So do you think I've got it nailed? What did I miss? Happy Samhain, all!
Love POE!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, you nailed it. Happy Samhain!
ReplyDelete