The element of the unknown. For example, in many of the stories, there are unexplained noises or figures. We don't know what they are or what they want, and that scares us.
The settings play a big role. Like a dark forest or an old, creaky house. These are places that are associated with danger and mystery in our minds. In the stories, they are used to create an atmosphere of fear. For instance, if a story is set in a deserted cemetery at midnight, just the thought of it gives us chills. Also, the characters often find themselves in situations where they are helpless, which adds to the horror. They can't easily escape or fight back against the threats they face.
The use of psychological elements is key. The stories often play on our deepest fears. For example, the fear of being alone, the fear of the dark, or the fear of something being wrong with our own perception. In some stories, the characters start to doubt their own sanity as strange things keep happening around them. This makes the reader feel uneasy as they can put themselves in the character's shoes and imagine experiencing the same confusion and fear.
The unknown elements. In these stories, often there are things that are not fully explained. Like in a story where a door in an old building keeps opening on its own. We don't know what's on the other side. It could be a monster, a ghost, or something even more sinister. This lack of knowledge creates fear.
The element of surprise. In short scary stories, the unexpected twists and turns can quickly shock the reader. For example, in 'The Landlady', the seemingly kind landlady has a dark secret about her previous guests. The sudden revelation that she has been poisoning them is a great shock.
In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', it's the narrator's psychological breakdown that scares. His obsession and the guilt that eventually consumes him are really terrifying. For 'The Monkey's Paw', the idea of getting what you wish for in the most horrible way is what makes it scary. You think you're getting something good but it turns into a nightmare.
The ability to create a sense of dread in a short space. Scary short stories often use vivid descriptions and quick pacing. For instance, in 'The Call of Cthulhu', Lovecraft uses a few well - chosen words to describe the otherworldly and terrifying Cthulhu, making the reader feel a deep sense of horror in just a short read.
The way these stories play with our emotions and fears is what makes them so terrifying. They often touch on our deepest fears, such as death, the loss of sanity, or the presence of evil. In stories like 'The Fall of the House of Usher', the decay and doom associated with the house and its inhabitants mirror our fears of mortality and the end of things. The vivid descriptions of spooky settings, like the dark and damp cellars or the haunted mansions, create a sense of dread in the reader's mind.
The thrill. People like to feel a rush of adrenaline. Terrifying short stories can give that by presenting situations that are far from our normal, safe experiences. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's descent into madness and his fear of getting caught are very thrilling.
The use of the unknown. Japanese horror often plays with elements that are not clearly defined. For example, spirits and ghosts that don't follow the normal rules. It leaves the reader or viewer (in case of movies based on these stories) with a sense of unease.
Well, it could be the characters. If there are creepy characters like a witch with a cackling laugh and a hunched back in the 'kindercatcher' stories. They can create a feeling of dread. Also, the setting plays a role. A dark and isolated place like an old cemetery at midnight can be really terrifying. The combination of these elements in the stories might be what makes them so scary.
The use of atmosphere. For example, in many stories, it's often a dark and isolated setting like an old abandoned house or a desolate forest. This immediately makes the reader feel uneasy.
These top ten stories are terrifying for multiple reasons. They use elements such as the supernatural, as in 'Carmilla' with the vampire theme. The psychological aspect is also strong. In 'The Masque of the Red Death', the prince's attempt to escape death is a futile psychological battle. And the element of shock is present too. In 'The Lottery', the sudden revelation of the true nature of the lottery is a shock that leaves readers horrified. They also often have a sense of inevitability, like in many of Poe's works where the characters seem doomed from the start.