They allow us to explore our fears in a safe way. We can face the things that scare us, like death in 'The Masque of the Red Death' or the unknown in 'The Yellow Wallpaper', from the comfort of our own minds. Also, they often have unexpected twists. In 'Lamb to the Slaughter', no one expects the wife to use the leg of lamb as a murder weapon and then serve it to the police. These twists keep us hooked.
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.
For some, the adrenaline rush is appealing. When reading a terrifying short story, the body can react as if the danger in the story is real, releasing adrenaline. It gives a kind of 'thrill' that some people seek. Also, it allows readers to experience fear in a safe environment. They can explore the darker aspects of human nature and the unknown without actually being in danger.
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 mystery in them is appealing. We don't know for sure if ghosts exist, and these stories play on that uncertainty. For example, in stories about haunted houses, the idea that there could be an unseen presence is both scary and fascinating.
One reason is the exploration of the human psyche. Terrifying short stories often delve into the darkest corners of the human mind, showing how people can be driven to madness or commit heinous acts. This psychological aspect makes them interesting. Another factor is the element of the unknown. Stories that involve the supernatural or inexplicable events, like in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' where the woman's hallucinations are not fully explained, create a sense of mystery and fear. Additionally, they can act as a form of catharsis, allowing us to face our own fears vicariously through the characters in the story.
They often play on our deepest fears. Stories might be about things like being alone in the dark, as in some ghost stories. These are fears that are common to many people. By exploring these in a short story, it gives us a chance to face those fears in a somewhat safe way, through the pages of the story.
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 suspense. In a short story, there's not much time to waste. Writers create intense suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. For example, in 'The Monkey's Paw', we keep wondering what will happen with each wish. Also, the unexpected twists. Stories like 'The Open Window' have a sudden turn that shocks the reader. It's that moment of 'I didn't see that coming' that makes them appealing.
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 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 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.