Well, the Victorian horror novels set the foundation. In 'Dracula', the idea of an immortal, blood - sucking creature has been adapted and reimagined countless times in modern horror. 'Frankenstein' showed how the creation of something unnatural can lead to horror, and modern horror often plays with this concept of 'unnatural creation'. 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' introduced the idea of a split personality, which is now a common theme in horror movies and books.
Gothic horror classic novels had a huge impact on modern horror literature. Their use of mystery and the unknown was a major influence. In modern horror, we often see the same sense of not knowing what lurks in the shadows, which was first popularized in gothic novels. The complex characters in these classics, such as the tortured souls in 'Wuthering Heights', gave modern horror writers ideas on how to create deep, multi - faceted characters that add to the horror and drama of the story.
It influenced the use of setting. 'The Mysteries of Udolpho' popularized the use of large, imposing, and often mysterious buildings like castles. Victorian horror novels then often used similar settings such as old mansions or decaying estates. For example, many horror stories were set in spooky old houses with hidden passages and rooms.
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'.
The way 'The Castle of Otranto' wove family secrets and curses into the horror plot was emulated. Other Victorian horror novels began to explore how family legacies could be sources of horror. It made writers think more about the psychological aspects of horror related to family relationships.
Vintage horror novels had a huge influence on modern horror. For example, 'Dracula' established many of the tropes we still see in vampire stories today, like the vampire's aversion to sunlight. 'Frankenstein' made us think about the ethics of science and creation, which modern horror often explores in the context of things like genetic engineering. They also set the mood and atmosphere that modern horror tries to replicate.
They provide the foundation. For example, the use of creepy settings in classic horror town novels like the haunted castles in 'Dracula' is often replicated in modern horror. Modern authors take the concept of a spooky location from these classics and adapt it to their own stories.
1980s horror novels were very influential. They introduced new monsters and concepts. For instance, Clive Barker's 'Hellraiser' gave us the Cenobites, which inspired new types of horror creatures in modern literature. The psychological depth in 1980s horror, like in King's novels, made modern horror focus more on the internal struggles of characters along with the external horror elements. This made modern horror more complex and engaging.
The first horror novels provided the basic templates. For example, 'Frankenstein' introduced the idea of a created monster, and we still see this concept in modern horror, like in movies such as 'Splice'.
1970's horror novels had a huge influence on modern horror. For example, 'The Exorcist' introduced the idea of demonic possession in a very intense and realistic way. Modern horror often borrows this concept, exploring different aspects of it. 'Rosemary's Baby' with its satanic plot set a precedent for stories that deal with the occult. It showed how normal life could be infiltrated by the forces of evil. And Stephen King's 'Carrie', which focused on a character with special powers being an outcast, is often seen as a precursor to modern horror stories that deal with the psychological and physical abuse of outcasts.
1960s horror novels had a significant influence on modern horror literature. For example, the psychological horror elements in 'The Haunting of Hill House' have been widely adopted. Modern horror often focuses on the psychological state of the characters, creating fear from within, just like what Shirley Jackson did. Also, the idea of the ordinary turning into the terrifying, as seen in 'Rosemary's Baby', where a normal pregnancy becomes a nightmare, is a common theme today.