famous short horror stories

One characteristic is their ability to play on common fears. In 'The Lottery', it plays on the fear of blindly following traditions without question. The pacing is usually fast - paced to keep the reader engaged in the short span. They also use elements of the supernatural or the macabre effectively. Take 'The Monkey's Paw' for instance, the cursed object is a classic horror trope. And the best ones leave a lasting impression on the reader long after reading, like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' with its haunting narrator.

Often, they create a sense of unease quickly. For example, in 'The Lottery', Shirley Jackson starts with a seemingly normal small - town gathering but gradually reveals the horror beneath. They also use vivid descriptions, like in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' where the description of the wallpaper itself is both detailed and disturbing. Another characteristic is the unexpected twist, as seen in many of these stories.

Edgar Allan Poe is a major author of famous horror short stories. He wrote 'The Tell - Tale Heart', 'The Cask of Amontillado', and 'The Masque of the Red Death' among others. Shirley Jackson wrote 'The Lottery', which is a very well - known horror short story. W. W. Jacobs is the author of 'The Monkey's Paw'.

One of the most famous is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a disturbing tale of a man's descent into madness as he is haunted by the vulture - like eye of an old man he lives with. Another is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W. W. Jacobs, which shows the dangerous consequences of interfering with fate through a cursed monkey's paw that grants wishes in a twisted way. And 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson is also well - known. It presents a seemingly ordinary small town with a dark and horrifying annual tradition that shocks readers when revealed.

They also usually have a strong sense of atmosphere. Take 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. The description of the room with the yellow wallpaper, and the narrator's slow descent into madness as she is confined there, is all about building a claustrophobic and disturbing atmosphere.

Isolation is another theme. In many horror short stories, the characters are isolated, such as in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' where the woman is isolated in a room. This isolation makes them more vulnerable to the horror elements, be it a supernatural force or their own deteriorating mental state.

Well, one characteristic is the use of atmosphere. They create a sense of dread and unease. Take 'The Monkey's Paw' for instance, the simple yet foreboding setting of the family home adds to the horror. Gothic horror short stories also tend to have complex characters with dark secrets. In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Dr. Jekyll's hidden side is what drives the horror. And they often play with themes of death, decay, and the unknown, which makes the reader feel on edge.

Well, 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H.P. Lovecraft is a very famous short horror piece. It involves a cult that worships an ancient and terrifying being named Cthulhu. The story creates a sense of cosmic horror as the characters discover the existence of these otherworldly and malevolent entities. And don't forget 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' by Ambrose Bierce. It has a man about to be hanged at a bridge, and then there are some mind - bending twists that make it a great horror - tinged story.

Edgar Allan Poe is a well - known one. His works are full of psychological horror and macabre elements.

Edgar Allan Poe is a very famous author of horror stories in the 19th and early 20th century. His works like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' are still widely read today. Another is H.P. Lovecraft. He is known for his unique brand of cosmic horror in stories such as 'The Call of Cthulhu'. His ideas influenced a whole generation of horror writers.