edith wharton horror stories

One characteristic is the use of detailed settings. For example, in 'Afterward', the description of the house and its surroundings adds to the spooky mood.

There are also male characters who may be the source of the horror or the ones trying to uncover the mystery. In her stories, you might find a gentleman who has a dark past and his actions or secrets start to unravel, causing horror and chaos around him. Some characters are also relatives or servants who play important roles in the horror narrative, like a creepy old servant who seems to know more than they let on.

The psychological aspect is a key feature. Her horror stories often delve into the minds of the characters, showing their fears, paranoia, and internal struggles. This makes the horror more relatable as it's not just about external monsters but also about the demons within. Also, her use of symbolism, like dark forests or locked rooms, helps to enhance the overall sense of horror.

Another interesting one is 'The Lady's Maid's Bell'. It creates a spooky atmosphere with its elements of the supernatural and the unknown. The story builds tension through the experiences of the maid who starts to notice strange happenings in the house.

Edith Wharton's ghost stories are often characterized by a sense of unease and psychological depth. Her use of setting, such as old mansions and decaying estates, adds to the spooky atmosphere. For example, in 'The Lady's Maid's Bell', the old house with its hidden secrets creates a perfect backdrop for the ghostly encounters.

Edith Wharton's ghost stories are known for their unique blend of psychological depth and the supernatural. Her use of setting, often in old, decaying mansions, adds to the eerie atmosphere. For example, in 'The Lady's Maid's Bell', the old house serves as a character in itself, with its creaking floors and hidden rooms contributing to the sense of mystery and the presence of the supernatural.

One of the best is 'Afterward'. It's a chilling tale that plays with the idea of a haunting that becomes evident only 'afterward'. The sense of unease and the slow revelation of the supernatural elements make it a classic among her ghost stories.

Well, Edith Wharton novels are characterized by their incisive social commentary. She was really good at showing the underbelly of the upper - class society. In many of her works, she delved into the power dynamics, the unspoken rules, and the hypocrisy. Take 'Ethan Frome' for instance. It's not just a love story, but also a portrayal of the harshness of rural life and how people are trapped by their circumstances, both social and environmental. Her novels are a mirror to the society she lived in.

One of the best is 'The Age of Innocence'. It beautifully depicts the upper - class society in New York. The story of Newland Archer, his love for Ellen Olenska and the social constraints they face is both poignant and thought - provoking.

Wharton's ghost stories also showed that the genre could be used to explore social and cultural issues. Through the use of the supernatural, she could comment on things like class differences, gender roles, and the power dynamics in society. This broadened the scope of what ghost stories could achieve and inspired other writers to do the same.