An Analysis of The Judge's House

An Analysis of The Judge's House

This compelling 19th Century thriller by Bram Stoker has many typical

elements of the 19th century ghost story genre. The author has used

many rudiments, which make this a very popular ghost story. "The

Judges House" which is set in an isolated setting, this can clearly be

seen when the author describes it as "…desolation was the only term

conveying any suitable idea of its isolation." Here the author wants

to portray the sense of seclusion, as this is a typical element of a

19th century ghost story. The author has used many other techniques in

describing the setting, to give the reader a sense of isolation. For

example Stoker writes," …was surrounded by a high brick wall massively

built. Indeed on examination it looked more like a fortified house

than an ordinary dwelling." The word "fortified" portrays a sense of

danger and this quote also shows more signs of isolation.

The author also has inputted many shock moments in the story where the

mood of the story is relaxed and building up to its climax and an

unexpected event occurs. Stoker uses this technique when he writes;"

She threw her hands up in amazement". This is an unexpected reaction

as in the sentence before the same person was being described, as a

cheerful and most kindly person that makes the author assume the

person will have some positive feedback and advice on the question,

which the main character of the story asked. These shock moments are

used as hooks to fasten the reader to the story. A good illustration

of this is when the protagonist see something appalling and he

reaction can be seen in the following phrase,"…and with a...

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...'s House isn't an

exception. Usually the sceptic ended up being the victim in the 19th

century ghost stories and this is the case in The Judges House. The

protagonist sees his death in front of him but just before its gets to

him, Stoker creates a glimmer of hope for him. This can be seen from

the following phrase. "At the many rat-holes and in the chinks and

crannies of the wainscot he saw the rats' eyes and this aspect, that

was purely physical, gave him a gleam of comfort." This makes the

reader think that he can overcome the evil in the story and creates a

hook for them.

After looking at all the elements of a typical 19th century ghost

story which Stoker has used in The Judge's House, In my opinion this

is a good example of a 19th century ghost story and is a real

audacious, mysterious and inexplicable story.