Step-by-step explanation:
"The Story We Used to Tell" is a gothic short story by Shirley Jackson that explores themes of death, loss, and the supernatural. The gothic elements in this story include:
- Setting: The story takes place in an old, isolated house that has been abandoned for many years. The house is described as "gloomy" and "decayed," with overgrown weeds and broken windows, creating a foreboding and eerie atmosphere.
- Supernatural elements: The story includes several supernatural elements, such as the ghostly presence of the old couple that used to live in the house, and the mysterious sound of a woman crying. These elements add to the story's sense of unease and fear.
- Death and decay: The story revolves around the death of the old couple, whose remains are discovered in the house. The decay of the house and the couple's bodies is described in detail, creating a sense of decay and decay of both the physical and the spiritual world.
- Psychological horror: The story also delves into the psychological horror experienced by the characters. The protagonist, who is haunted by the ghostly presence in the house, experiences a breakdown of her mental state as she becomes increasingly consumed by fear and paranoia.
Overall, the story's gothic elements create a sense of fear, unease, and horror, as the characters are confronted with death, the supernatural, and their own psychological breakdowns.
________________________________________________________
"The Tooth" by Shirley Jackson is a gothic short story that contains several elements that contribute to its gothic tone and atmosphere.
- Setting: The story is set in a small, isolated town where the protagonist, Mrs. Spencer, feels trapped and claustrophobic. The town is described as "dank," "gray," and "suffocating," which creates a sense of unease and tension.
- Psychological horror: The story explores the psychological horror that Mrs. Spencer experiences as she becomes increasingly obsessed with her toothache. She experiences vivid hallucinations and imagines a range of terrifying scenarios, which contribute to the overall sense of horror.
- Physical horror: The story also includes elements of physical horror, such as the description of Mrs. Spencer's toothache and the graphic details of her tooth being extracted by the dentist.
- Supernatural elements: The story contains supernatural elements, such as the idea that the toothache is caused by a "tooth-worm" that is feeding on Mrs. Spencer's tooth. This adds to the gothic atmosphere of the story.
- Symbolism: The tooth can be seen as a symbol of Mrs. Spencer's anxiety and fears. It is also symbolic of the decay and corruption that can be found in the gothic genre.
In summary, the gothic elements present in "The Tooth" include a gloomy setting, psychological and physical horror, supernatural elements, and symbolism. These elements contribute to the story's overall sense of unease, tension, and horror.