Well, superstition is also a big part of it. Things like black magic, curses, and unlucky omens are often included. For example, a cursed object might bring misfortune and horror to those who touch it. These themes are deeply rooted in Chinese culture and beliefs, which make the horror stories more relatable and spine - chilling to Chinese audiences. They also give a unique flavor to Chinese horror compared to horror stories from other cultures.
Superstition is another theme. Things like ghosts being bound to certain objects or places are common. For instance, a haunted house might be cursed because of something that happened there in the past, like an ancient burial site being disturbed. Also, the idea of the afterlife and the yin - yang balance is often involved. If the balance is disrupted, it can lead to horror - like situations. Chinese horror stories often use these cultural beliefs to create a spooky atmosphere.
One common theme is revenge. Ghosts often come back to take revenge on those who wronged them when they were alive. For example, in many stories, a person who was killed unjustly will return as a ghost to punish the murderer.
Isolation is a common theme. For example, in 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the woman is isolated in a room and that isolation drives her to madness. Another theme is the supernatural. In 'The Monkey's Paw', the cursed monkey's paw with its ability to grant wishes in a twisted way represents the supernatural. Revenge can also be a theme, like in 'The Tell - Tale Heart' where the guilt of the murder seems like a form of revenge as the killer is haunted by the victim's heartbeat.
One common theme is revenge. Many horror stories involve a wronged spirit seeking revenge on those who wronged them during their lifetime, like the example of the 'Female Ghost in Red' I mentioned before.
Ghosts are a very common element. Usually, they are the spirits of the dead who have some unfinished business or grudges, like the ghosts in haunted houses. Another common element is the use of superstition. For example, certain times of the year or places are considered more haunted. Black magic or curses also often appear in these stories, which can bring misfortune or death to people.
One common theme is the supernatural. This can include ghosts, vampires, and werewolves. Another theme is the unknown. When things are not clearly defined, it creates a sense of fear. Also, death is a frequent theme. It can be sudden, unexpected, or part of a curse. For example, in many haunted house stories, the presence of a ghost is often related to an untimely death in the past.
Well, in '2019 scary stories', a major theme is the fear of the past. There might be stories where the actions of the past come back to haunt the present. For instance, if someone did something wrong years ago, like desecrating a sacred place, a curse or spirit related to that act comes back to terrorize them. Additionally, isolation is likely a theme. Characters might find themselves alone in a spooky place, like an abandoned building, which heightens the fear as there is no one to turn to for help.
Another theme could be isolation. For example, a character might be alone in a big, empty mansion and that's when the spooky things start to happen. It makes the fear more intense because there's no one to turn to. In some stories, there's also the theme of revenge. A wronged spirit comes back to haunt those who wronged it. This often leads to a series of terrifying events for the people involved. It's a classic scary story trope.
Some common themes in scary stories are the unknown. For example, in many horror tales, there are mysterious creatures or forces that people don't understand. Another theme is death. It often haunts the characters in scary stories, whether it's the fear of their own death or the death of loved ones. Also, isolation can be a common theme. When characters are alone in a spooky place like an old, abandoned house or a desolate forest, it amps up the fear factor.
One common theme could be the fear of the unknown. In many of the stories, there are things that are not fully understood, like strange noises in the dark or unexplained apparitions. This makes the readers feel uneasy as they can't predict what will happen next.