One of the main themes is the fear of the unknown. In her novel, she often creates an atmosphere where the characters are surrounded by things they can't fully understand, like in 'The Haunting of Hill House'. Another theme is the breakdown of the self. The characters are often put in situations that make them question their own sanity.
She uses setting. Old, dilapidated houses and desolate landscapes are common in her works. These settings immediately give a feeling of unease. For instance, in 'The Haunting of Hill House', the house itself is like a character, full of secrets and mystery.
The unexpected violence at the end makes it a horror story. The lottery, which seems like a normal event at first, turns out to have a deadly consequence. It's a shock to the readers when the so - called 'winner' is stoned to death.
Well, 'The Haunting of Hill House' is a standout. It has been adapted multiple times, showing its significance in the horror genre. The way Shirley Jackson builds suspense and the strange occurrences in the novel are what make it so popular. And then there's 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle'. It's about a family with a dark past and the isolation they experience, which adds to the horror elements.
In 'The Lottery', Tessie Hutchinson is a main character. She's the one who ends up being the victim of the lottery. In 'The Haunting of Hill House', Eleanor Vance is a central figure. She's a rather fragile and lonely woman who is drawn into the mysteries of Hill House.
One common theme is the sense of the uncanny. In her stories, ordinary situations often take a disturbing turn. For example, in 'The Lottery', a seemingly normal village has a brutal and archaic lottery system. Another theme is the power of society and tradition over the individual. The villagers in 'The Lottery' blindly follow the tradition without really questioning its morality. Also, the theme of isolation is present. Characters often find themselves alone against strange and menacing forces, like in some of her other works where a character might be in a big, old house with something strange lurking about.
Shirley Jackson's first book was 'The Road Through the Wall'. In this novel, she started to show her talent for creating an atmosphere that was both ordinary and yet filled with a kind of underlying tension. It was like she was pulling back the curtain on the so - called normal lives of the characters. The plot weaves through the lives of different people in a community, and through her descriptions, you can feel the subtle power dynamics and the unspoken rules that govern their interactions. It's an interesting read if you want to understand the evolution of Jackson's writing.
One common theme is the sense of unease within the ordinary. In her stories, she often takes everyday settings like a small town or a family home and fills them with a lurking dread. For example, in 'The Lottery', the seemingly idyllic village has a disturbing annual ritual. Another theme is the power of the unknown. Jackson leaves many elements ambiguous, making the readers' imagination run wild and increasing the sense of horror. Also, the breakdown of social norms is a theme. Characters may act in ways that violate what we consider normal social behavior, which is both shocking and terrifying.
She often uses psychological elements. For example, in 'The Haunting of Hill House', she plays with the characters' fears and insecurities. The uncertainty about what is really happening in the house is a big part of the horror.