An Essay Comparing the Different Techniques Used In Supernatural/Horror Stories

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An Essay Comparing the Different Techniques Used In Supernatural/Horror Stories

Compare and contrast the techniques Charles Dickens, H.G. Wells and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle employ in order to create a supernatural/horror story.

‘The Signalman’, ‘The Red Room’ and ‘The Clubfooted Grocer’ were all written before 1914. During the time in which they were written, gothic literature was very popular. All three short stories have many associations with gothic tradition. These include; gloomy settings, mysterious characters, strange noises, language that makes the ordinary seem strange, association with death and dying and twists in the tale.

Each author uses the techniques in different ways to create a horror story.

The settings in all three stories are spooky and gloomy. ‘The Signalman’ is set by a railway line. In the 1980’s, the railway was a very recent invention, it was cutting edge technology. Dickens’ chosen setting was a very contempory touch.

Dickens describes the setting in great detail, making use of all five senses. He uses the sense of touch, smell and hearing very effectively:

“Clammy stone, that became oozier and wetter.”

 Dickens’ use of words makes the setting seem grotesque and disgusting. It gives you the impression of being able to see where you are, it makes you think you’re at the scene watching the story unfold.

“Gloomier entrance to a black tunnel.”

The setting is portrayed as a quiet isolated place, where nobody else goes.

The sense of sight is used in a very strange way:

“Steeped in the glow of an angry sunset.”
The sunset is described as angry when it is usually associated with love, romance and happiness.  

In contrast to ‘The Signalman’, ‘The Red Room’ is set inside, and set in a traditionally gothic castle. However the setting is just as gloomy and mysterious. Wells’ story is the most recent of the three; however he chooses to create an ancient and old fashioned scene. ‘The Red Room’ is set in Lorraine Castle which contains haunted rooms to create suspense and fear.
Although both H.G Wells and Dickens make use of sensory imagery, Wells’ uses less detail. However his use of darkness evokes the reader’s sense of apprehension and fear.    

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In ‘The Red Room’ Wells uses the sense of hearing the most:

“Echoing of stair” and “Absolute Silence”.

The sense of sound creates a chilling and frightening atmosphere.

‘The Clubfooted Grocer’ is very much like ‘The Signalman’ and is set in “wild, isolated hills” and there is “no sign of life”.

“The huge moors” seem very chilling and frightening.
Not only does it seem quite horrific it also shows different emotions, such as “bleak and sad and stern were all my surroundings”. This is a use of personification as it makes you think the surroundings are a person and ...

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