Blackwood was also good at getting into the minds of his characters when they were facing horror. This psychological aspect influenced modern horror literature, as it made writers realize that the internal reactions of characters can be just as scary as external threats. For instance, in his stories, characters' fear and confusion are palpable, and modern horror often tries to replicate that sense of psychological dread.
He uses detailed descriptions of the settings. For example, in many stories, the isolated and often gloomy locations like old mansions or deep forests add to the suspense. The reader immediately feels a sense of unease.
Hitchcock's short stories influenced modern horror literature by setting new standards for suspense. His stories often had a slow - building sense of dread, which modern writers have emulated.
Victorian short ghost stories had a significant influence on modern horror literature. They established many of the classic horror tropes. For example, the use of old, haunted houses as settings, which is seen a lot in modern horror. Also, the idea of the supernatural being hidden just beneath the surface of normal life, like in 'The Signal - Man'.
One of the well - known stories is 'The Willows'. It's famous for its eerie atmosphere and sense of the unknown. The story creates a feeling of unease as the characters face strange happenings in a desolate setting.
The 1800s ghost stories provided a foundation. They established common tropes like haunted houses, which are still widely used today. For example, the idea of a place being filled with the spirits of the past was first explored in depth in these stories.
There are also characters who are just regular folks living in a small community. They start to notice odd things happening around them, like strange noises at night or people acting out of character. These characters represent the normal, everyday perspective that is then shattered by the extraordinary events in the story. Their reactions range from fear to disbelief to a desperate attempt to find an explanation.
One notable feature is the atmosphere. Algernon Blackwood is a master at creating an eerie and mysterious atmosphere. His stories often take place in strange settings like the deep forest or old, isolated houses. Another is the exploration of the unknown. He delves into the realms of the supernatural and the psychological, making the readers question what is real and what is not. His characters are also well - drawn, often being ordinary people thrust into extraordinary situations, which makes them relatable and adds to the overall allure of the stories.
Penny horror stories influenced modern horror literature in multiple ways. Firstly, they created a template for horror storytelling. They showed how to build tension and create a sense of unease in the reader. Secondly, they introduced memorable characters like Dracula and Frankenstein's monster. These characters became archetypes that modern horror writers often reference or re - imagine. Thirdly, they explored themes such as the supernatural, madness, and the consequences of playing God. These themes are still central to modern horror literature today.
Ancient horror stories provided a rich source of inspiration for modern horror literature. For example, the concept of the vampire from ancient tales has been extensively explored in modern vampire novels and movies. The basic elements like the vampire's thirst for blood, aversion to sunlight, and immortality are all drawn from ancient stories.
1980s horror novels were very influential. They introduced new monsters and concepts. For instance, Clive Barker's 'Hellraiser' gave us the Cenobites, which inspired new types of horror creatures in modern literature. The psychological depth in 1980s horror, like in King's novels, made modern horror focus more on the internal struggles of characters along with the external horror elements. This made modern horror more complex and engaging.