Literary scary stories typically have a sense of impending doom. The reader gets the feeling that something bad is going to happen from the very start. They also make use of suspense. Writers build up tension by withholding information or by gradually revealing the horror. And many of them play on our primal fears. Things like the fear of the dark, death, or the loss of sanity are common themes. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's descent into madness is a key part of the horror. The way he is haunted by the old man's eye plays on our fear of being watched and our own potential for madness.
Well, first, they often contain elements of mystery. The story may start with a strange event or situation that the characters, and the readers, are trying to figure out. Second, the use of foreshadowing is common. Writers drop hints about the upcoming horror, making the readers anticipate and fear what's to come. Third, they can have a psychological aspect. Instead of just relying on gore or jump scares, they get into the minds of the characters. For instance, in 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the psychological breakdown of the woman is the main source of horror. It shows how isolation and a repressive environment can drive a person to insanity.
One characteristic is the use of atmosphere. They often create a spooky, eerie mood through detailed descriptions of settings like dark forests, old mansions, or fog - covered graveyards. Another is the exploration of the unknown. This could be in the form of supernatural elements such as ghosts, vampires, or other unearthly creatures. Also, they usually have complex characters. The protagonist might be facing internal fears as well as external threats, which adds to the horror.
They probably have a strong atmosphere. It could be a dark and gloomy setting, like an old cemetery or an abandoned asylum. These settings add to the overall spookiness and make the events seem more terrifying. For instance, in a story set in an abandoned asylum, the creaking floors and peeling walls create a very eerie backdrop for the scary events that unfold.
These stories usually set a spooky mood at the beginning. Maybe with a description of a dark and quiet place. However, the danger or the 'scary' part is not extreme. In the case of the old house on the hill, the shadowy figure seems scary but is quickly debunked as just a tree branch's shadow. This makes it just enough to give you a bit of a chill but not keep you up at night in fear.
They often involve the supernatural. Ghosts, demons, and other spooky entities are common elements.
One characteristic is the use of suspense. It keeps readers or listeners on edge, not knowing what will happen next. For example, in many horror stories, there are strange noises or events at the beginning that make you wonder what's causing them.
They rely on creating mystery. For instance, they might mention a strange sound or an unexplained sight, leaving the reader to fill in the blanks. This makes the reader's imagination an important part of the horror experience. It's not about spelling out every detail but rather giving just enough to make you shiver. For example, a story could say 'The cellar door was ajar. A strange smell wafted from within.' You immediately start to wonder what's in the cellar and what could be causing that smell.
Clean scary stories often rely on psychological horror rather than gore or explicit violence. For example, they might play on our fears of the dark, the unknown, or being alone. They use elements like suspense and mystery to create a spooky atmosphere. Instead of showing blood and guts, they might have a sudden noise in an empty house to startle the reader.
Japanese scary stories often involve supernatural elements like ghosts, spirits, and curses. For example, in 'The Ring', the curse spread through a videotape is a very typical supernatural element. They also tend to be set in ordinary, everyday locations such as houses or small towns, which makes the horror seem closer to real life. This is seen in 'Ju - On: The Grudge' where an ordinary house becomes a place of horror.
They are concise. For example, 'I saw a face in the window. It grinned as I ran away.' They quickly set a spooky mood in just two sentences.
One characteristic is the unexpected. For example, in 'What We Do in the Shadows', the vampires' reactions to modern things like technology are unexpected and funny, yet they also have that spooky vampire factor. Another is the use of contrast. In 'Shaun of the Dead', the normalcy of Shaun's life at the start contrasts sharply with the chaos of the zombie apocalypse later, creating both comedy and horror.