Victorian society influenced the ghost story in many ways. The strict social norms and moral codes of the time were often reflected in the stories. For example, if someone broke a moral code, they might be haunted. Also, the class differences were shown, with the wealthy often having their own secrets and the poor being more in touch with the supernatural due to their lack of education.
Victorian society was very proper and had a lot of rules. In Victorian ghost stories, this showed up as a contrast. The hidden desires and repressed emotions in society were sometimes expressed through the ghosts. The industrial revolution also had an impact. As cities grew and there was more pollution and overcrowding, it led to a sense of unease that was reflected in the spooky settings of the stories. And the role of women in society was sometimes explored through female ghosts who were often victims or had some unresolved issues.
The Victorian era influenced Victorian ghost stories in terms of their themes. The strict social norms led to themes like guilt and punishment in these stories. In other English ghost stories, the themes can be more diverse. For example, modern English ghost stories might be about urban legends. Victorian ghost stories also had a certain aesthetic due to the era's architecture and fashion. This is different from other English ghost stories which can be set in different time - period aesthetics.
It led to the proliferation of ghost stories in Victorian literature. Many authors incorporated ghostly elements into their works. For example, Charles Dickens included ghosts in some of his novels. This added a sense of mystery and the supernatural to the literature of the time.
The Victorian Christmas ghost stories have had a notable impact on modern Christmas. Firstly, they have influenced the creation of various forms of Christmas - themed entertainment. We often see elements of the supernatural in modern Christmas stories, like a ghostly apparition in a Christmas - set novel or a spooky Christmas - themed TV special. This connection to the Victorians also helps to keep the idea alive that Christmas has a deeper, more mysterious layer. Moreover, it has affected how we view the holiday season in terms of cultural heritage. It reminds us that Christmas has a long and complex history, with the Victorians' love for ghost stories being just one part of it. This can be seen in how some modern Christmas markets or events might incorporate a spooky or historical element related to those old ghost stories.
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'.
Victorian Christmas Eve ghost stories added a unique element to the holiday culture. They made the Christmas Eve evenings more exciting and different. People would gather around and listen to these spooky tales, creating a sense of community. It was a way to pass the time during the long winter nights. They also influenced the way people thought about the holiday, as they often had moral lessons related to Christmas values like charity and kindness, as seen in 'A Christmas Carol'.
Victorian erotic stories influenced the use of symbolism in literature. Since they couldn't always be direct due to the social climate, they relied on symbols to convey sexual and passionate ideas. This influenced future writers to use symbols more effectively in their works to convey deeper meanings, not just related to erotica but in general storytelling.
The Victorian novel made reading more immersive. With their detailed descriptions of settings, characters, and social situations, readers were drawn into a different world, which affected their psychological state while reading. For instance, the descriptions of the grand Victorian mansions in some novels made readers feel as if they were there.
These horror stories led to reforms. People became aware of the inhumane conditions and started to demand change. It made society more conscious about the rights of children.
Famous Victorian novels reflected the society of the time in various ways. For example, in 'Oliver Twist', Dickens showed the harshness of the workhouse system and the extreme poverty that many faced. The class differences were also evident, like in 'Great Expectations' where Pip's journey from a poor boy to a gentleman - in - training exposed the rigid class structure.
It added an element of mystery and the supernatural. It made stories more exciting and engaging. For instance, Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' became a classic due to its Gothic elements.