In the Scarecrow Story in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, there are multiple elements that make it scary. The fact that scarecrows are human - like in shape but not human at all is a big factor. It makes us uneasy because it's a distortion of the human form. Also, the way the story builds up the mystery around the scarecrow, not revealing its true nature right away. We start to wonder what it is capable of, and our minds start to imagine all sorts of terrifying things, which is what makes it so effective at scaring us.
His appearance might make him scary. A scarecrow is already an object that can look spooky, and Harold is likely to be dilapidated with torn clothes and a menacing stance.
His appearance. His ragged clothes, his stitched - up face, and his straw - filled body give him an eerie look. It's not something you'd expect to see moving around, so when it does in the stories, it's really scary.
In the 'Scarecrow Story' from 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark', the scarecrow is a symbol of fear. It could be related to the idea of something that is out of place in the normal rural landscape. The story might play on our primal fears of the unknown and the idea that something that seems inanimate could come to life at any moment.
The unknown factor makes scary scarecrow stories so terrifying. Scarecrows are usually inanimate objects, so when they come to life in stories, it goes against our normal understanding of the world. It's a sudden shift from something harmless to something that can potentially harm us.
Maybe it's the unknown aspect of Harold's situation. If we don't know much about what's going on with him, it creates a sense of mystery and fear.
The unexpected twists. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, something completely different and terrifying occurs. For example, a seemingly friendly character could turn out to be something evil. Also, the use of common fears like the dark or being alone in a strange place really amps up the scariness.
The fear of the unknown in dreams. We don't really have full control in our dreams, and in this story, that lack of control can be terrifying. For example, not being able to run away from a threat in a dream.
The fear of the unknown in dreams makes it scary. We don't fully understand our dreams, and in this story, that lack of understanding is exploited.
Well, it's scary because it takes something ordinary like a pimple and twists it into something truly horrifying. Our bodies are supposed to be familiar to us, but when a simple blemish becomes a source of evil or the unknown, it shakes our sense of safety. Also, the idea of something growing or changing on our skin in a way that we can't control is deeply unsettling.
One factor is the setting. If it's in a dark and isolated place, it immediately sets a spooky mood. For example, if Ramon is in a forest at night, the darkness and the sounds of the forest can be quite menacing.