A ghost story is any piece of fiction, or drama, that includes a ghost, or that simply takes as its premise the possibility of ghosts or characters' belief in them. The ghost may appear of its own accord or be summoned by magic. Linked to the ghost is the idea of a haunting, where a supernatural entity is tied to a place, object or person. Ghost stories are commonly examples of ghostlore.
Facts
Place of OriginNo single point of origin; belief in ghosts is found in cultures worldwide, and ghost stories have been passed down both orally and in written form. 1 Notable ExampleThe ghost of Hamlet's murdered father in Shakespeare's Hamlet is one of the most recognizable ghosts in English literature. 1 Defining TraitM. R. James, the form's leading exemplar, perfected the technique of narrating supernatural events through implication and suggestion, letting the reader fill in the blanks. 1 Connections
Sources
1. Ghost Story (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)s.v. Ghost Story, lede
A ghost story is any piece of fiction, or drama, that includes a ghost, or simply takes as a premise the possibility of ghosts or characters' belief in them.
s.v. Ghost Story, Some Remarks on Ghost Stories
He also perfected the technique of narrating supernatural events through implication and suggestion, letting his reader fill in the blanks.
s.v. Ghost Story, English Renaissance theatre
The shade of Hamlet's murdered father in Hamlet has become one of the more recognizable ghosts in English literature.
s.v. Ghost Story, lede (belief in ghosts worldwide)
Belief in ghosts is found in all cultures around the world, and thus ghost stories may be passed down orally or in written form.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.