Tale of a Ghost Sighting

Ghost Sighting

Elements of the supernatural have long enhanced the folklore of many cultures. Stories of ghosts, magic, and so-called aliens are transferred from generation to generation, sparking our imagination and uncovering our deepest fears. While some stories are clearly fabulous, others are believed by those who tell them. The story I wish to report is of the latter kind: an experience that generated real fear in the teller. Although the story is completely original, it contains ideas reflected in much other folklore, including similar tales from similar locations. And like all folklore, the effectiveness of the story depends upon the performance of the teller and those to follow.

First, it is important to include an in-depth description of the storyteller in order to fully analyze the meaning of the tale. My story was narrated by an 18-year-old woman. She was born in Poland, and at the age of eight moved to the Frederick. She is from an upper-middle class family; both her mother and father are chemists. The story was obtained late one night while working on homework and casually conversing. The topic of ghosts and the supernatural arose, and she informed me that she once saw a ghost firsthand. I inquired about her experience, and she willingly explained what had happened.

“At this time in my life I lived in a very old town house, where I often heard unexplainable noises in the attic. One night, when I was about 11, my parents went out to a party, leaving me all alone. The night was stormy, with crashes of lightening and thunder outside. Having nothing to do, I fell asleep after eating too much ice cream. All of a sudden, my alarm clock goes off in the middle of the night, reading 3 o’clock. I’m wondering why ...

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...in the story--she believes she saw a ghost. This allowed her to tell the story confidently and seriously, making the events very convincing. She also spoke slowly and thoughtfully, as though she was reliving the entire experience. This behavior supports the social implications of the story, showing that the teller herself held the fear of being alone and of darkness. She also spoke of the soldier’s image respectfully, while admitting to a fear of the apparition. Overall, the performance of the tale ultimately made it a ghost story while supporting its connection with societal ideas.

Works Cited

Cannon, Timothy L., Nancy Whitmore. Ghosts and Legends of Frederick County. Frederick, Maryland: Studio 20 Inc., 1979.

J., Danielle. “The Soldiers’ Ghosts.” Your True Tales. Aug. 2004. 15 Oct. 2004. .