Ghost Stories Essay -- Literary Analysis, Realism and Victimization

Ghost stories are a truly timeless form of literature, the ghost, like death, has no end. Stories of the supernatural date foul to early ancient manuscripts involving mythology, legend, and religion. The past few centuries have seen the supernatural flourish in Gothic romance through tales of fantastic creatures, demonic forces, and parallel dimensions (Scarborough). affair in the other-worldly has provoked many stories involving the interaction between the living and the returning dead. The well-engineered ghost stories of M.R. James seem to arouse these eerie skin tingling feelings. Techniques aimed at involving the readers awareness Jamess narrative and folkloric superstitions in the mezzotint engage the readers imagination and psyche. The realistic settings, supernatural elements, and sensational fiction that is doused in mystery, builds anticipation. Jamess clear an intelligent knowledge of human restiveness elicits fear, excitement, and curiosity through imagery, the uncanny , and subtle suggestions that transform into personal supernatural experiences. The oratory nature of Jamess stories bring the characters and the drama to life and constructs fear in the reader with bodyless texuality fearing that these words on the page might spring to life (Mulbey-Roberts 236).In contrast to supernatural Gothic tradition, Jamess short stories shy away from the elaborate romanticism and concentrate on basic elements of fear such as realism and victimization. The narrative style of Jamess The Mezzotint is similar to the original delivery of his ghost stories. With elements of direct savoir-faire and candid conversation the narrator awakens the readers awareness by controlling and regulating the flow of information similar... ...t no man wishs to be buried on the northeastern United States side of a churchyard for it is Hells corner (48). Another popular superstition or tradition that can be found in todays culture is the keep down three. The number appears se veral times in the story and Jamess small attention to detail adds to the mystery. Sayings like all things thrive at thrice . . . and encouragement . . . to estimate the third time . . . will say that the thirds a charm or a coroner never comes once but thrice(Opie,Tatem 403). Gawdy is executed and returns for his persecutors, Franciss, wholly son. Francis is found dead on the third anniversary of his sons disappearance, having just completed the mezzotint, with all three dead and the climax coming to an end James ensures that a residual effect from the fear continues with the narrator stating that the picture still hangs in Ashliean Museum.