Horror genre

Main thing

The horror genre in literature is a category of books that aims to scare, frighten, or disgust. It's designed to invoke an emotional or psychological response within the reader. This genre often uses supernatural elements and psychological horror to create a sense of fear and suspense.

For example, Stephen King's novel "The Shining" is a classic piece of horror literature. It tells the story of a haunted hotel and its effect on its inhabitants, particularly the Torrance family. The novel uses supernatural elements and psychological horror to create a deeply unsettling narrative.

Terminology

1. Horror Genre - A category of literature that aims to invoke fear, disgust, or shock. Example: "The Shining" by Stephen King is a renowned piece of the horror genre.

2. Supernatural Elements - Aspects that go beyond the laws of nature. Example: Ghosts, spirits, and haunted objects in a horror story.

3. Psychological Horror - A sub-genre of horror that relies on characters' fears, guilt, beliefs, eerie sound effects, and emotional instability to build tension. Example: The mental deterioration of Jack Torrance in "The Shining".

An analogy

Reading a horror novel is like walking through a haunted house. You know something is going to jump out and scare you, but you don't know when or what it will be. The anticipation and suspense are what make it thrilling.

A main misconception

A common misconception about the horror genre is that it's all about gore and violence. While some horror stories do contain these elements, many rely more on psychological terror and the fear of the unknown. For instance, "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James is a horror novella that relies more on the psychological and the ambiguous, rather than explicit violence.

The history

1. 1764 - The birth of the horror genre with the publication of "The Castle of Otranto" by Horace Walpole.

2. 19th Century - The genre flourished with Gothic literature, including works by Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein".

3. Early 20th Century - H.P. Lovecraft contributed to the genre with his cosmic horror stories.

4. Mid 20th Century - The rise of horror pulp magazines and later Stephen King, who became one of the most famous horror writers.

5. Present Day - The genre continues to evolve, with a variety of sub-genres and cross-genre horror stories.

Stephen King, a famous horror writer, once said, "We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones."

Three cases how to use it right now

1. Reading a horror novel like "Dracula" by Bram Stoker can provide a thrilling escape from everyday life, immersing you in a chilling tale of a vampire.

2. Writing a horror story can be a creative outlet, allowing you to explore your fears and anxieties in a safe, controlled way.

3. Studying horror literature in an academic setting can offer insights into societal fears and anxieties of different time periods.

Interesting facts

1. The term 'Gothic' in Gothic horror originally had a negative connotation, meaning 'barbarous' or 'uncouth'.

2. Edgar Allan Poe is often credited with inventing the modern detective story, but he also wrote many influential horror stories.

3. Mary Shelley wrote "Frankenstein" when she was only 18 years old.

4. Stephen King's books have sold more than 350 million copies worldwide.

5. H.P. Lovecraft's creature Cthulhu has become a cultural icon, appearing in numerous media beyond Lovecraft's own stories.