Hitchcock was great at creating complex characters in his ghost stories. The psychological state of the characters added to the suspense. In 'Vertigo', the main character's mental instability and his obsession with a woman made the audience constantly on edge. He also used lighting to great effect. Dark shadows in 'Psycho' hid secrets and added to the overall feeling of unease.
He used vivid descriptions. For example, in 'The Red Room', the dark and shadowy corners of the room are described in detail, making the reader feel the unease.
The slow - paced narrative in his stories adds to the suspense. He takes his time to develop the characters and their situations before fully delving into the ghostly encounters. This gradual build - up makes the appearance of the ghosts or the climax of the supernatural events all the more impactful.
He uses sudden changes in the setting. For example, a previously calm room suddenly getting very cold.
Gaskell would often introduce a character who was skeptical about the existence of ghosts. As the story progressed and the evidence of the supernatural piled up, the conflict between the character's disbelief and the events created a great deal of suspense.
Hitchcock's collection of suspense stories is as follows: 1 The Phone Murder The Butterfly Effect Edgar Allan Poe's The Snake and The Tell-Tale Heart The Rite of Spring 5. Roman Holiday Dante's The Inferno Avatar 8 The City of Light 9 The Night The Comet Comes Mystery stories The Double 12 Roman Holiday 13 The Psycho The Shining The Phone Murder The City of Light Dante's The Inferno The Lost Horizon Edgar Allan Poe's The Snake and The Tell-Tale Heart Avatar Mystery Stories The Lost Horizon The Butterfly Effect The Night The Comet Comes The City of Light Avatar The Phone Murder The Lost Horizon 29 The Shining The Phone Murder
They create suspense by delaying the reveal of the ghost. Instead of showing the ghost right away, the story builds up the tension. For example, there might be strange happenings like objects moving on their own, and the characters are trying to figure out what's going on. This makes the reader or listener eager to know if it's a ghost and when it will finally appear.
Well, in tvtrope ghost stories, the setting plays a big role in creating suspense. If it's an old, abandoned asylum or a cemetery at night, just the location itself gives off a spooky vibe. The characters' reactions also contribute. If they are constantly on edge, looking over their shoulders, it makes the viewers feel the same. And the use of music is crucial. A slow, creepy melody can heighten the sense of suspense. For example, as the ghost is about to appear, the music builds up, making the audience hold their breath in anticipation.
He used a slow build - up. Doyle would start by introducing a seemingly ordinary situation and then gradually introduce strange elements.
The use of lighting also helps. Dark and shadowy scenes, with just a bit of light here and there, make the audience wonder what could be lurking in the darkness. For example, in many ghost movies, a single candle or flashlight in a big, dark place is a common trope.
Dickens also played with the characters' emotions. He would make the characters feel a sense of dread or foreboding long before the actual appearance of the ghost. This psychological build - up makes the arrival of the ghost more impactful. For example, a character might have a strange feeling in a particular room, and as the story progresses, it is revealed that this is where a ghost is likely to appear.