The Signalman and The Red Room as Characteristic Nineteenth Century Ghost Stories

The Signalman and The Red Room as Characteristic Nineteenth Century Ghost Stories

There are many characteristics that help to make up a typical

nineteenth century ghost story. During this essay certain aspects

will be discussed to find out if ‘The Signalman’ by Charles Dickens

and ‘The Red Room’ by H.G. Wells contain the elements that constitute

a ghost story.

The main elements of a typical ghost story include the stereotypical

aspects such as distortion of light to create shadow, isolation, and

fear as well as emotive imagery, the inclusion of a

non-believer/believer and having a suitable ending e.g. a twist. All

these elements add to the tension and overall atmosphere of a

nineteenth century ghost story.

The first element that will be touched upon is the addition of the

conventional features of a ghost story. These can include candles,

moonlight, firelight, shadows and darkness. The distortion of light

is a very effective way to create shadow, thus creating tension. In ‘The

Red Room’ ‘the moonlight…picked out everything in vivid black shadow

or silvery illumination’ which generates uncertainty and creates the

illusion of ‘the black shadow [springing] back to its place’, which,

in itself, brings the whole scene to life. Also, the suggestion of

the colour ‘black’ creates the sense of death and evil, whereas the ‘silvery

illumination’ gives the sense of a ghostly feeling. This distortion

of light allows doubt to creep in and stir the imagination into

turning even the most rational situation into a panic-stricken

moment. The narrator tells us that he ‘stood rigid [and] advanced,

only to discover a Ganymede and Eagle’. ...

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...of making his story seem a little

unbelievable, although having his background given reassures us of his

intellect.

After looking at certain aspects of a nineteenth century ghost, it is

able to be concluded, that ‘The Signalman’ by Charles Dickens is less

of a ghost story compared to ‘The Red Room’ by H.G. Wells. Imagery

and the stereotypical aspects play an important part in creating the

fear and suspense of a ghost story. ‘The Signalman’ seems to be short

of the stereotypical features, such as candlelight, sounds and

shadows, which ‘The Red Room’ portrays brilliantly. It is full of the

emotive language that builds up the ultimate ghost story, and although

‘The Signalman’ is disturbing, it lacks the qualities that are

needed. This makes ‘The Red Room’ a much more successful ghost story

than ‘The Signalman’.