virginia woolf henry james ghost stories

One key difference is their treatment of the afterlife in ghost stories. Woolf may be more interested in the psychological impact of the idea of the afterlife on the living characters. James, perhaps, is more concerned with the rules and mysteries of the afterlife itself. Also, Woolf's female characters in her ghost stories often have a different relationship with the supernatural compared to the characters in James' stories, which are often male - dominated in terms of perspective.

Woolf influenced the genre by making it more about the internal world of the characters. Her ghost stories were less about the traditional scares and more about the psychological unease. James, on the other hand, influenced it through his exploration of the social and moral aspects. His stories set in different social milieus showed how the supernatural could interact with society. For example, his stories often had characters from different classes dealing with the presence of the ghost, which added a new layer to the genre.

Virginia Woolf's ghost stories often have a dreamy and psychological quality. Her writing style makes the ghostly elements seem like manifestations of the characters' inner thoughts and fears.

In addition, 'The Aspern Papers' is often mentioned. While not as straightforwardly a 'ghost story' as the others, it has an air of mystery and a sort of spectral presence in the form of the papers of the long - dead poet Jeffrey Aspern. It has elements that draw readers interested in Henry James' ghostly tales.

Virginia Woolf's ghost stories often have a dreamy and psychological quality. Her writing style makes the ghostly elements seem more like manifestations of the characters' inner turmoil rather than just spooky apparitions.

Well, 'A Room of One's Own' is also among the best. In this story, Woolf makes a powerful argument about the importance of financial independence and a private space for women writers. It's not a traditional narrative but rather a collection of thoughts and ideas that are both profound and inspiring.

Well, 'Owen Wingrave' also has elements of the supernatural. It tells the story of a man who defies his family's military tradition. There are some strange occurrences and a sense of the otherworldly that add to the overall ghostly feel of the story.

One of her quotes might be 'The eyes of others our prisons; their thoughts our cages.' This could potentially be related to a ghost story in the sense that the presence of a ghost, like the eyes and thoughts of others, can feel imprisoning. The ghost's unseen watchfulness could make a character feel trapped, much like how we can feel restricted by the opinions of others.

Virginia Woolf's own mental health struggles likely influenced her ghost stories. Her bouts of depression and inner turmoil might be reflected in the haunted and troubled characters in her stories.

I would recommend 'Mrs. Dalloway'. It's a great starting point as it gives a good sense of Woolf's stream - of - consciousness style. The story unfolds over the course of a single day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, and through her thoughts and interactions, Woolf weaves a complex tapestry of post - World War I London society.