The Supernatural in Modern English Fiction (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Ghosts, Gothic Horror, Occult Themes, and the Rise of Modern Weird FictionBy Dorothy Scarborough
Length11h 38m
About this audiobook
The Supernatural in Modern English Fiction is a pioneering critical survey of ghosts, occult agencies, revenants, psychic phenomena, and uncanny atmospheres in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century fiction. Scarborough writes with the classificatory impulse of early literary scholarship, yet her prose remains lively, alert to narrative mood, symbolism, and the shifting border between Gothic convention and modern psychological ambiguity. Placing writers such as Poe, Hawthorne, Kipling, Stevenson, Wells, and Henry James within a broad Anglo-American context, she shows how supernatural fiction evolved from melodramatic terror into subtler explorations of doubt, perception, and spiritual unease. Dorothy Scarborough was an American scholar, novelist, and folklorist whose academic formation at Columbia University helped shape the book's methodical scope. Her lifelong interest in folklore, balladry, regional storytelling, and popular belief gave her unusual sympathy for materials often dismissed as merely sensational. Writing at a moment when psychical research, spiritualism, and modern psychology were reshaping attitudes toward the unseen, she approached supernatural fiction as both literary art and cultural evidence. This volume is recommended for readers interested in Gothic studies, ghost stories, and the intellectual history of the uncanny. Though some judgments reflect its period, Scarborough's study remains valuable for its range, clarity, and early recognition of supernatural fiction as a serious modern literary form.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 3.7 (13)
Includes Goodreads
GenreLiterary Classics
Length11 hrs 38 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 25, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5PREFACE
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6INTRODUCTION
7CHAPTER I The Gothic Romance
8Elements of Gothicism.
9The Origin of Individual Gothic Tales.
10The Gothic Ghosts.
11Witches and Warlocks.
12The Devil.
13Aids to Gothic Effect.
14Conclusion.
15CHAPTER II Later Influences
16CHAPTER III MODERN GHOSTS
17CHAPTER IV The Devil and His Allies
18The Wizard and the Witch.
19Dæmonic Spirits—Vampires.
20The Werewolf and Others.
21CHAPTER V Supernatural Life
22The Wandering Jew.
23Elixir of Life.
24Metempsychosis.
25Spiritualism and Psychical Research.
26Life after Death.
27CHAPTER VI The Supernatural in Folk-Tales
28CHAPTER VII Supernatural Science
29CHAPTER VIII Conclusion (pt. 1)
30CHAPTER VIII Conclusion (pt. 2)
31Analysis
32Reflection
33Memorable Quotes
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