victorian horror short stories

Well, one characteristic is the use of gloomy settings like old mansions and fog - covered graveyards. These settings create an atmosphere of mystery and dread.

They typically had complex characters. The protagonists were often ordinary people thrust into extraordinary and horrifying situations. The horror was not just about the supernatural elements but also about the psychological turmoil within the characters. Also, the language used was elaborate and detailed, adding to the overall atmosphere of dread.

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

M. R. James was another significant figure. His stories were full of old - fashioned horror. He often used ancient artifacts or old buildings as the source of the horror. His writing was very descriptive, making the readers feel as if they were in the spooky settings of his stories. And of course, Bram Stoker with his famous 'Dracula' which not only was a novel but also had elements that could be seen in short horror stories of the era, like the fear of the unknown and the power of the undead.

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'.

Victorian age horror stories are known for their moral undertones. They might explore the consequences of scientific overreach, as in Frankenstein. Gothic elements are prominent, such as high - ceilinged castles and secret passages. Also, they tend to have a slow - building tension that keeps the reader on edge.

One of the famous Victorian horror stories is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It introduced the iconic vampire Count Dracula. Another is 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson, which explores the duality of human nature in a terrifying way. Also, 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley, though written a bit earlier but very popular during Victorian times, is about a scientist creating a monster.

One horror story was the extreme overcrowding. There were often too many children in a small space, leading to poor living conditions. Diseases spread easily, and many children died. Another aspect was the cruel treatment by the caretakers. They might beat children for minor mistakes, leaving physical and mental scars on those poor orphans.

The best Victorian horror stories often have a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere. They usually feature old, spooky settings like decaying mansions or fog - filled graveyards. Characters might include mad scientists or tormented souls. For example, in 'Dracula', the castle setting and the vampire's presence create a sense of dread.

Some well - known Victorian horror stories include 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It introduced the iconic vampire Count Dracula. Another is 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson, which explored the duality of human nature. 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley, although written a bit earlier, was also very popular during the Victorian era and dealt with themes of creation and the consequences of playing God.