victorian era ghost stories

The Victorian era influenced Victorian ghost stories in terms of their themes. The strict social norms led to themes like guilt and punishment in these stories. In other English ghost stories, the themes can be more diverse. For example, modern English ghost stories might be about urban legends. Victorian ghost stories also had a certain aesthetic due to the era's architecture and fashion. This is different from other English ghost stories which can be set in different time - period aesthetics.

Well, one characteristic is the use of gloomy settings like old mansions and fog - covered graveyards. The stories often had a moral undertone too. For example, a ghost might haunt someone who had done wrong in the past. Also, the ghosts were usually described in a very spooky way, with pale faces and tattered clothes.

M. R. James was a well - known author of Victorian Era ghost stories. His works were known for their psychological horror.

Well, they often had a spooky atmosphere. They usually involved elements like old mansions, flickering candlelight, and strange noises. For example, in some stories, there might be the ghost of a long - dead relative haunting the family on Christmas Eve.

Charles Dickens was a very famous one. His 'A Christmas Carol' is a well - known Christmas Eve ghost story. The ghosts in it, like the Ghost of Christmas Past, play important roles in Scrooge's transformation.

Victorian era short stories typically had complex characters. These characters were often from different social classes, and their interactions showed the class divide of the time. The language used was quite formal and elaborate. Writers would use long, descriptive sentences. Moreover, the themes were diverse, including love, death, social change, and the struggle between good and evil. For example, in stories about love, it was often complicated by social expectations and family honor. The stories also sometimes had a sense of melancholy or a bittersweet tone, as the era had its own set of social and cultural pressures.

Local libraries also have a great collection of Victorian - era family - related books. You can borrow books like 'The Mill on the Floss' by George Eliot. This book shows the relationship between family members, their dreams, and the challenges they face in a Victorian context. It's a great way to learn about Victorian family values and lifestyles.

They are significant as they reveal the hidden undercurrents of Victorian society. Victorian society was outwardly very proper and moralistic, but these medical stories suggest that there was a seething underbelly of repressed desires.

Another example is the love story in 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte. Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff have a complex and passionate love. Their love is thwarted by class differences and social norms of the Victorian era, leading to a tragic series of events.

Victorian era stories in audio books often have elaborate descriptions of settings. Take 'Dracula' for instance, the spooky castles and foggy landscapes are vividly described. Also, the language used is often very formal and proper, which gives a sense of the era's propriety. In 'Oliver Twist', the way the characters speak reflects the social norms of the time.