Horror - help!

[Valcaster]

I’m making a science project for high school students about horror. I’d like to show them main writers, motives and changes in the genre. Of course it can’t be too scientific, it has to stay on more general level. Here are some modules, which I want to present:

1. Vampire motive [“Vampire” by John Polidori; “Dracula” by Bram Stocker]
2. Man against the infinity [some Lovecraft; “There are more things” by Jorge Luis Borges]
3. The dark side of human nature [“Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” by Stevenson; “Gothic tales” by Sigmund Krasinski (Polish poet, you don’t have to know :))]
4. Horror parody [“The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde]

Know any other suitable books, novels? Maybe you have some ideas about other modules?

[Scheherazade]

Not sure how all this fit into a science project but...
1. Vampire motive [“Vampire” by John Polidori; “Dracula” by Bram Stocker]Interview With a Vampire by Anne Rice: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Interview-Vampire-Chronicles-Anne-Rice/dp/0708860737/sr=8-2/qid=1166835154/ref=pd_ka_2/202-9449758-0395041?ie=UTF8&s=books
3. The dark side of human nature [“Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” by Stevenson; “Gothic tales” by Sigmund Krasinski (Polish poet, you don’t have to know :))]
Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Frankenstein-Prometheus-Penguin-Popular-Classics/dp/0140620303/sr=1-2/qid=1166835278/ref=sr_1_2/202-9449758-0395041?ie=UTF8&s=books

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis: http://www.amazon.co.uk/American-Psycho-Bret-Easton-Ellis/dp/0330448013/sr=1-1/qid=1166835348/ref=sr_1_1/202-9449758-0395041?ie=UTF8&s=books

[mtpspur]

Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde may fit category #3 for you--the dark side of man.

[omegaxx]

Lewis's "The Monk" also fits in category #3 pretty well.

[Niamh]

All the vampire novels by Anne Rice

The Lair of the White Worm- Bram Stoker

[Theshizznigg]

Turning of the screw by Henry James is an excellent Horror story in the fact that its never established whether its real or psychological.
Mathew Lewis's The Monk is and excellent read for gothic horror.
The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. (Not exactly a conventional horror story, but the concept behind it truly is terrifying.)

[masterlibrarian]

1. Le Fanu ("Carmilla")
2. E. A. Poe (many novels) and E.T.A. Hoffman ("the devil's elixirs")
4. Peacock ("Nightmare Abbey")
There are many others, this are the ones that I remind now.
Good job!

[Valcaster]

Thank you guys!
I'm not entirely sure about Rice - she's not quite classic and well... she just writes simple novels for teenagers (I hope that's not big faux pas :)). Plus I don't want the texts to be too long.
Which Poe's novel would you suggest? "The black cat" would suit the third category, but I don't know very well any other stories.
Would you make 'living dead' seperate motive? It's rather characteristic for American popular culture.

[masterlibrarian]

Which Poe's novel would you suggest? "The black cat" would suit the third category, but I don't know very well any other stories.


I would suggest "The masque of red death", 'cause it will suit the second category and it's my favorite. It isn't too long:)
But also "The black cat" can be a good choice

[Scheherazade]

'A Tell Tale Heart' is a good one, too, and short.

[Schokokeks]

E.T.A. Hoffman ("the devil's elixirs")

A good idea would also be The Sand Man by E.T.A. Hoffmann. There is also a very good movie adaption that never fails to scare me. Plus, the book is very short and accessible.
Good luck with your project ! :nod:

[V.E.Sweets]

Well I was going to recomend Lovecraft but I see you allready have that.