One classic is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a man who murders an old man because he is haunted by the old man's 'vulture - like' eye. Another is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W. W. Jacobs, where a family gets a cursed monkey's paw that grants wishes but with terrible consequences. And Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery' is also very well - known. It's set in a small town where an annual lottery has a very dark and unexpected outcome.
Sheridan Le Fanu is a notable author. His 'Carmilla' is an important work in vampire literature. Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote 'The Yellow Wallpaper', which is a very effective horror story. Algernon Blackwood is also a great name in horror short stories. His works often deal with the supernatural and the uncanny.
One of the main features of YA horror short stories is that they usually deal with themes like identity, friendship, and coming of age, all within a scary context. The language is accessible and the scares are designed to appeal to a younger audience without being too overwhelming.
Short stories are indeed a genre. They differ from novels in terms of length and focus, often concentrating on a single event or theme to convey a powerful message in a concise form.
Lovecraft's short stories in this collection contribute to the horror genre by introducing unique and terrifying creatures. For example, Cthulhu is a completely different kind of horror entity compared to traditional vampires or ghosts. It's a massive, indescribable being from another dimension that defies human understanding.
The collection contributes by exploring different aspects of horror. It's not just about monsters. Sometimes it's about the horror within human nature. His characters' psychological states are often a big part of the horror, like in stories where paranoia drives the plot forward. He also plays with the unknown, making readers fear what they can't see or understand, which is a key element in the horror genre.
Bram Stoker's short stories had a huge impact. His use of supernatural elements like vampires in 'Dracula's Guest' set a precedent. Many horror stories after that started to include such creatures.
The 'father of horror stories' introduced many classic horror elements. For example, Edgar Allan Poe was a master at creating a sense of psychological horror. His stories often delved into the dark recesses of the human mind, making the reader feel the same unease and madness as the characters. This was a huge contribution as it added a new dimension to horror, not just relying on external monsters but also on the internal demons of humanity.