What are the characteristics of Mrs Oliphant's ghost stories?

One well - known Mrs Oliphant's ghost story is 'The Open Door'. It's a classic that often sends shivers down the spine with its eerie atmosphere and mysterious happenings.

It depends on your tolerance for scary things. If you're easily spooked, then they might be very scary. But if you're more of a skeptic or have a high tolerance for the supernatural in stories, they might not be that terrifying.

One notable feature is the atmospheric setting. Oliphant has a great ability to create spooky and immersive environments that draw readers in. For example, in many of her stories, she uses old, dilapidated houses as the backdrop for the ghostly happenings.

I'm not very familiar with specific 'oliphant ghost stories'. But generally, ghost stories often involve spooky elements like haunted places, mysterious apparitions, and unexplained events. Maybe these 'oliphant ghost stories' have their own unique settings and characters that create a sense of fear and mystery.

Her stories are often very imaginative. For example, they might take place in magical lands with talking animals and strange plants.

If she had faced social or family pressures in her life, it could be manifested in the relationships between the characters in her ghost stories. The characters' interactions might mirror the tensions or bonds that she was familiar with in her own personal relationships. Also, her observations of the world around her, like the changing social landscapes, could have seeped into the fabric of her stories, adding depth and realism to the otherwise supernatural tales.

Her name, for one. 'Mrs Slaughter' has a rather menacing sound to it. It gives the impression that she might have been involved in something violent or tragic in life, which makes her ghost stand out.

One characteristic could be transparency. Ghosts are often depicted as being see - through, like a faint apparition. Another is the ability to float or move without using normal means of locomotion. They can also be associated with cold spots, as if they bring a chill with them. And they might have a certain glow or an otherworldly light about them. Lastly, they may make strange noises, like moans or whispers.

The 1800s German ghost stories were typically quite dark and moody. The ghosts in these stories were often vengeful or harbingers of doom. They were set in a world where the supernatural was very much a part of everyday life. The stories were also rich in detail about the appearance of the ghosts. For instance, the 'White Lady' was always described as wearing a flowing white gown, and her appearance was often accompanied by a cold chill in the air. These details added to the spooky atmosphere of the stories. Moreover, they often incorporated elements of German folklore and superstition, which made them unique and different from ghost stories of other cultures.

Since we don't know the exact works of Winfield, in typical ghost stories, there's often a build - up of tension. The author might start with a normal situation and then gradually introduce strange occurrences. There could be unexplained noises, cold spots, or objects moving on their own. Also, the characters in the story may experience a sense of dread or unease. In some cases, there might be a backstory to the ghost, which adds depth to the narrative and makes the story more engaging. However, without knowing Winfield's specific works, it's all speculation.