19th century horror short stories

Many 20th - century horror writers' short stories are masterpieces. For example, H.P. Lovecraft's works often feature otherworldly and indescribable horrors. His use of cosmic horror makes readers feel small and insignificant in the face of the unknown. Another great writer is Shirley Jackson. Her short story 'The Lottery' is a classic, which shows the dark side of human nature in a seemingly ordinary small - town setting. These short stories not only aim to scare but also make people think about deeper things like society and human nature.

Some great 20th - century horror short stories include Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery'. In this story, a small town has an annual lottery, but it's not what one would expect. The twist at the end is quite horrifying. Also, Richard Matheson's 'Prey' is a chilling story. It involves a small, malevolent doll that terrorizes a woman, playing on the fear of the unknown and the idea of something small being very dangerous.

Edgar Allan Poe is a very famous author of horror stories in the 19th and early 20th century. His works like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' are still widely read today. Another is H.P. Lovecraft. He is known for his unique brand of cosmic horror in stories such as 'The Call of Cthulhu'. His ideas influenced a whole generation of horror writers.

One of the most prominent is H.P. Lovecraft. His short stories introduced the concept of cosmic horror. Then there's Shirley Jackson. Her works often had a unique take on human nature in horror. And of course, Edgar Allan Poe, though he was from an earlier part of the 19th century, his influence carried on into the 20th century for horror short stories.

The 19th and 20th century short stories were often a reflection of the times. In the 19th century, for example, short stories in America might focus on the frontier experience or the growth of cities. In the 20th century, with two world wars, stories were influenced by the trauma and changes brought about by these events. Many authors used short stories as a way to quickly capture the essence of the era.

One great love story from 19th century short fiction is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It tells the story of a young couple, Jim and Della. They are very poor but deeply in love. Della sells her long hair to buy a chain for Jim's precious watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy beautiful combs for Della's hair. It shows that their love is more important than any material possessions.

Some 20th - century authors' short stories are known for their exploration of the human condition. For example, Ernest Hemingway's short stories often feature tough, disillusioned characters. His writing style is concise and direct, like in 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro', where he delves into themes of regret and the passage of time. Another author, Katherine Mansfield, was a master at depicting the inner lives of her characters in short stories. Her works often focus on the subtleties of human emotions and relationships.

They often had a moral lesson. For example, many stories by Hans Christian Andersen were full of morals for the readers. Also, they usually had a well - defined setting, like the Victorian England in Dickens' works.

20th century ghost short stories often reflect the cultural fears and anxieties of the time. For example, many stories were influenced by the two World Wars, with ghosts representing the trauma and loss. Writers like M.R. James created stories where the ghosts were often vengeful, which could be seen as a way to explore the darker aspects of human nature.

One characteristic is the diversity of themes. They often explored modern life, such as the impact of industrialization and urbanization. For example, in some stories, the alienation of individuals in the big city was a common theme.