How does the woman in white contribute to the horror atmosphere in Victorian horror novels?
The woman in white plays a crucial role in creating a horror atmosphere in Victorian horror novels. Her appearance alone is quite disturbing. The fact that she is always dressed in white gives her an otherworldly and spectral quality. She often moves silently, which adds to the sense of unease. Moreover, her backstory usually involves some sort of tragedy or wrong - doing, which haunts not only her but also the characters in the story. Her very existence in the narrative serves as a reminder of the dark and hidden aspects of the Victorian society, such as secrets, betrayal, and the mistreatment of women. This all combines to create a thick and palpable horror atmosphere that lingers throughout the novel.
In Victorian horror novels, the woman in white is a powerful tool for creating horror. Her presence is unexpected and often sudden. She might appear in a dark corridor or a desolate place, her white figure standing out against the gloom. Her lack of color makes her seem less alive, more like a spirit. Also, her actions are often strange and unexplainable. She might just stare at the protagonist without saying a word, or she could float instead of walk. This abnormal behavior scares the readers. Her connection to the past, which is usually filled with some sort of trauma, also adds to the horror. It makes the readers feel that there are things in the past that can't be escaped, and this woman in white is the manifestation of that inescapable past.