A scary colonial story is that of the Jamestown colony. The early settlers faced numerous hardships, including starvation and attacks from Native Americans. There were also reports of strange disappearances and unexplained deaths. The sense of isolation and the unknown in the new land made it a fertile ground for scary tales. Plus, the power struggles and diseases that ravaged the colony added to the horror of the colonial experience.
Well, there are stories of haunted plantations in the colonial South. Slaves were subjected to inhumane conditions, and some believe their tortured spirits still linger. Also, the story of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. The entire colony vanished without a trace, leaving behind only a single word 'Croatoan' carved on a post, which is quite spooky.
The spread of diseases by colonizers in new lands can be part of colonial horror stories. For instance, when the Europeans arrived in the Americas, they brought diseases like smallpox which decimated the native populations who had no immunity. This led to the destruction of entire cultures and ways of life in a very tragic and horrifying way. And there were also many stories of cultural suppression, where colonizers tried to wipe out the native religions, languages and traditions of the colonized peoples.
In colonial times, there were tales of haunted plantations. Slaves often told stories of seeing the ghosts of former slaves who had died cruel deaths. These apparitions were said to roam the fields at night, moaning and crying. It was a way for the slaves to cope with their own harsh reality and also a form of resistance, as these stories scared the slave owners too.
Superstition played a big role. Things like curses were common. For example, if someone wronged a person, there were tales of that person putting a curse on the wrongdoer, leading to all sorts of misfortunes like illness or bad luck in business. Another common element was the fear of the unknown, especially the wilderness. The vast, unexplored areas around the colonies were seen as places full of danger and strange creatures.
One of the best colonial fictions is 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad. It delves deep into the colonial experience in Africa, exploring themes like the darkness within human nature and the brutalities of colonial exploitation. Another great work is 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe. It shows the impact of colonialism on African tribes from an African perspective, highlighting the clash of cultures and the destruction of traditional ways of life. Also, 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys is a remarkable colonial fiction. It offers a different view of the 'madwoman in the attic' from 'Jane Eyre' by focusing on her life in the colonial Caribbean setting, exploring themes of race, gender, and colonial power dynamics.
A story about a friendly ghost in an old house could be a 'scary not scary' story. The idea of a ghost is often scary, but if it's just a friendly spirit that helps the living, it's not so frightening. For example, it might warn the homeowners of a coming danger like a gas leak.
They are important because they show the dark side of history. For example, the exploitation in colonial times. By studying these stories, we can understand the past mistakes and avoid repeating them.
Ghosts are a typical scary element. They often appear suddenly, with a pale figure and a cold presence. Another example is the cursed objects. A doll that seems to have a life of its own and causes misfortune to those around it. Haunted places like cemeteries are also scary. The idea of the dead not resting in peace and strange apparitions floating around is quite frightening.
A great piece of scary music for scary stories is 'Dies Irae' which has been used in many horror - related works due to its dark and solemn nature. The chant - like quality gives it an otherworldly feel. 'The Shining' soundtrack also has some really disturbing music. The use of dissonant chords and slow, pulsating rhythms makes it very effective for creating a sense of dread. And let's not forget the music from 'Alien'. The deep, bass - heavy tones and the strange, unearthly sounds contribute to the overall scariness of the story.
In some of these stories, there might be a so - called 'scary' forest creature. However, as the story unfolds, it's revealed that it's just a misidentified animal. For instance, a large shadow in the forest that was thought to be a menacing monster was actually a deer with an unusual antler shape. These stories play on the idea of initial fear that dissipates when the truth is known.
One example could be a snap story about a haunted house. It might show strange noises, flickering lights, and shadowy figures moving around. Another could be a story of a cursed object where each snap reveals something more menacing about it, like it changing appearance or causing bad luck to those who touch it. And there could also be a scary snap story about a mysterious figure in the woods that seems to be following the person taking the snaps.