Elements of a Successful Ghost Story and The Red Room

1125 Words3 Pages

Elements of a Successful Ghost Story and The Red Room The Red Room is a successful ghost story that was written by H.G Wells. The story was intended to be scary when it was written and it uses tension, atmosphere and a scary plot. Without these key features it would not succeed as a successful ghost story. The reason for this is to entice the reader by giving them small clues so it does not give the plot away, but you have to read on because it does not give enough away only small clues, so it is still a mystery. In 'The Red Room' there are quite a lot of things that help to cause a scary atmosphere in the story. The main thing that helps create the desired atmosphere for a ghost story is that it is set in the old castle. It is occupied by the three old people and the Ladyship left 18 months ago, what I think makes it look like she left in a hurry is that all the objects are left how it was when her ladyship occupied the castle. The old people are described as 'Custodians' on page 44(Guardian of something) but this then leaves the question what are they guarding? This then makes you think what drove her out of the castle that quickly? This helps the atmosphere because it adds mystery to the story and starts to make it a more successful ghost story. This is also linked to the tension in the story. The candles that are situated round the castle also helps create atmosphere because it shows that it is in the night and most ghost stories are set at night and it then in turn provides an eerie atmosphere. At the beginning of the story the old people help add to the atmosphere by saying the things that had apparently happened there in the Red Room in the past. These things include; 'This night of all nights,' this makes it sound like it could be a type of anniversary of when something or someone had died or an event happened and this night

Open Document