Reading Notes, Week 2.

 

The Indian Who Wrestled with a Ghost:

• In the case of horror/supernatural stories, setting/atmosphere is important in order to invoke the "right emotions," so to speak, with these types of stories.
• Places/things that can cause unsettled reactions: woods (preferably at night), animals, mysterious women.
• Women are constantly used in horror; their roles depend on where they are needed. "Unhinged," "the sole survivor," etc.
• "At midnight he was aroused by the voice a woman. She was wailing, "My son! my son!"
• His experience with the ghosts can tie back to the fact that he went alone on a warpath. The woman, naturally, had a son that probably died in a war, and her manifestation is a reminder at the possibility of his possible death.
• The usage of heavy detail in describing characters:
• "Behold, a woman of the olden days was coming. She wore a skin dress with long fringe. A buffalo robe was fastened around her at the waist. Her necklace was of very large beads, and her leggings were covered with beads or porcupine work. Her robe was drawn over her head and she was snuffing as she came."
• Ghosts are one thing, but when the ghost in question is depicted as they appeared in life it only amplifies the realization that they were once a walking, breathing individual.
• Also, extreme detail simply makes it easier to visualize the individual.
• The depiction of practices/food/behavior that correlates to a specific culture.
• Bodily horror is important!
• The fight between the next ghost and the young man; the usage of light versus darkness. Likewise, the lack of fear that the young man exhibits can correlate back to him being on a warpath. In other words, he is battle hardened.
• "That is why people believe what ghosts say." 
• The usage of ghosts and how they help people move forward; they are those from the past who have seen and died seeing.
• A ghost story, but one with a possible message. The necessity for elders and the information from those that came before.

Creepy Forest