Psychological Horror Novels
Tales by Poe, King and Stoker Explore the Dark Side of the Soul
Readers are attracted to horror stories for many reasons -- to seek excitement, to experience the thrill of being scared, or to learn something about human nature
Psychological horror novels explore the interior rather than the exterior, the dark workings of the human mind. Psychological horror stories might be about a person spiraling into madness or someone battling a supernatural force of evil that is threatening to take him over. Or they may be about an external force that is trying to take over the protagonist’s mind or soul.
The Battle between Good and Evil
A psychological horror novel often reflects life; with some points magnified for closer inspection. Just as science fiction allows authors to build alternative worlds similar to our own, in which the flaws of society are often grimly reflected, horror tales may take a close-up look into the dark side of the psyche. They allow a penetrating look at base emotions such as superstition and fear. Horror tales allow the reader to explore the soul for deeper meaning.
Internal Battles
Many of the most successful horror tales explore the conflict people have within themselves. A horror story may evolve around how far a person can be tempted to succumb to evil, such Goethe’s Faust, who signs a pact with the devil in exchange for personal, earthly desires. Stories such as Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde express the duality of human nature. In The Tell-Tale Heart, Poe’s main character is betrayed by his worst enemy, his own conscience.
In a more contemporary novel by Sara Gran, Come Closer, a woman fights what might be an actual demon or might possibly be a part of herself that reflects destructive urges feels compelled to carry out to their deadly conclusions.
External Enemies
Sometimes the protagonist is not at war with himself, but with some evil, outside force that threatens his sanity. In these stories, it is other people, not the protagonist, who are not as they appear. In Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Mina falls prey to the vampire's evil charm and if not stopped, Lucy will also lose the qualities that make her human. In Stephen King's The Shining, ghosts from the old hotel threaten the new caretaker's sanity if he is not strong enough to resist them.
In the contemporary novel Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill, two people do battle with an evil spirit who preys upon their weaknesses.
More than any other genre, horror is more likely to take a reader to the very edge, because the protagonist does not always triumph or survive. Even if the person loses his life, the story works best when one learns something from their struggle. Tales of horror can leave one thinking about good and evil, the will to survive, and the essence of the human soul.
Click here for a review of Heart-Shaped Box
