literary horror short stories

One classic is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a story of a man's descent into madness as he is haunted by the eye of an old man he kills. 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. And Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery' is also a great example. It's set in a small town where an annual lottery has a very dark and unexpected outcome.

Well, 'Weird Tales' is a classic when it comes to literary magazines for horror short stories. It has a long history of showcasing some of the best in the horror genre. 'Shock Totem' is also a great choice. It focuses on dark and disturbing horror short stories. And don't forget about 'Interzone', which sometimes includes excellent horror short fiction among its diverse content.

One way is to look at the use of setting. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the dark, confined space of the old man's room adds to the sense of claustrophobia and horror. Another aspect is the characters. Their actions, motives, and states of mind can create horror. In 'The Monkey's Paw', the characters' greed in using the paw despite the warnings is a key element. Also, consider the language used. Words that create a sense of unease or dread, like 'ominous' or 'eerie', are important in building horror in these stories.

Yes, there are quite a few. Different authors and genres offer a wide range of literary short stories.

Foreshadowing enhances horror as it plants a seed of unease in the reader's mind. They start to anticipate something bad, and when it finally arrives, it's more impactful. For example, if a character mentions a strange dream at the start of a story and later that dream becomes a reality, it's scarier. Atmosphere is key too. A spooky old house with creaking floors and dim lighting immediately sets a scary mood.

Here are some recommended short horror novels: The Haunted House, The Secret of House Number 417, The Six-fingered Bride, Five Steps to the Road of the Wronged Ghost, The Book of the Seven Spirits, and the 7Truth series. These stories all had exciting plots and a terrifying atmosphere, suitable for readers who liked horror stories.

There was a young man named John who liked to read alone in his room at night. One day, when he was reading a horror novel, he suddenly heard a voice. He looked up in surprise to find a dark figure standing in his room. He tried to scream, but his voice became weaker and weaker. He felt a force slowly approaching him, making it impossible for him to escape. John became more and more afraid. He began to search every corner of the room in an attempt to find the source of the shadow. However, he could not find any clues. Finally, he felt his body grow weaker and weaker. He felt that he might have died. When he woke up again, he found himself lying on the floor and surrounded by darkness. He tried to stand up but found that he had lost consciousness. He searched the room again in an attempt to find the source of the shadow. This time, he found something strange. It seemed to be a hand locked in the wall. He tried to open it but found it stuck. John was getting more and more afraid. He began to imagine what would happen if the black shadow appeared in front of him. He tried to scream, but his voice was already hoarse. Finally, he felt his body grow weaker and weaker. He felt that he might have died. When he woke up again, he found himself lying in bed and surrounded by darkness. He tried to stand up but found that he had lost consciousness. He searched the room again in an attempt to find the source of the shadow. This time, he found an ancient diary with some strange names written on it. He tried to open it but found it stuck. John was getting more and more afraid. He began to imagine what would happen if the black shadow appeared in front of him. He tried to scream, but his voice was already hoarse. Finally, he felt his body grow weaker and weaker. He felt that he might have died. When he woke up again, he found himself lying on the floor and surrounded by darkness. He tried to stand up but found that he had lost consciousness.

The main literary elements of horror stories include atmosphere, which creates a sense of dread. For example, a dark and stormy night can set the mood. Another is the use of suspense. It keeps the reader on edge, like when a character hears strange noises but doesn't know what's causing them yet. Also, the presence of a menacing antagonist, such as a vampire or a serial killer, is a key element.

One common device is foreshadowing. For example, in 'The Shining', early on there are small signs like the strange sounds in the hotel that foreshadow the greater horrors to come. Another is the use of atmosphere. Dark, cold and isolated settings create a sense of dread. Suspense is also crucial. Writers keep readers on edge by delaying the revelation of key information. For instance, not showing the monster right away but only giving hints about its presence through noises or strange happenings.

Well, 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is a great literary horror story. It was one of the early vampire tales and has a very eerie and sensual quality to it. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman can also be considered in this category. It shows the psychological breakdown of a woman trapped in a room, and the horror is more internalized. And 'Rosemary's Baby' by Ira Levin is quite good too. The idea of a satanic cult plotting against an unsuspecting woman and her unborn child is really spine - chilling.