Mystery is also a prevalent theme. The source of the haunting, what the ghosts are, and why they are haunting are all part of the mystery. In 'Dracula', the mystery around Dracula himself, his powers, and his motives keeps the readers intrigued. It's this mystery that draws the reader in and makes them keep reading to find out what's really going on.
One common theme is fear. These novels often play on our deepest fears, like the fear of the unknown, the fear of death, and the fear of things that go bump in the night.
One common theme is fear. The haunted house setting naturally instills a sense of dread in the characters and readers alike. Another theme could be mystery, as there are often strange occurrences within the house that need to be unraveled. Also, isolation is often present, whether it's the physical isolation of the house itself or the emotional isolation of the characters who are trapped in this spooky place.
Fear of the past is a big theme. Haunted short stories often involve characters being haunted by events or people from their past. There's also the theme of isolation. In stories like 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the woman is isolated and this makes her more vulnerable to the 'haunting'. And death is a prevalent theme too. The idea of the dead coming back to haunt the living is quite common.
Often, there's also a theme of mystery and discovery. The members are trying to figure out what's causing the hauntings, which leads to a lot of plot twists and turns. For example, in some fanfics, they might discover that an old curse is the reason behind the spooky happenings, and they have to find a way to break it while also dealing with their own fear and the public perception of them as idols.
One common theme is the idea of the past haunting the present. In many Victorian haunted house novels, there are secrets from the past that are hidden within the walls of the house. For example, in 'The Turn of the Screw', the governess is haunted by the ghosts of the former servants, which are related to past events at the estate. Another theme is the exploration of the unknown. These novels often feature characters trying to understand the supernatural happenings in the house, like in 'Dracula' where the characters are trying to figure out the nature of the vampire and the strange events in his castle.
In haunted sex stories, a frequent theme is the apparition of a ghostly figure during sexual intercourse. This figure may be a former resident of the place who met an untimely death. Another theme is that the sexual act somehow awakens an ancient curse or evil presence. The setting is often an old, dilapidated building with a dark history. For example, it could be an old brothel where many women suffered, and now their spirits haunt those who engage in sexual activities there. These themes create a sense of dread and mystery, mixing the taboo of sex with the fear of the supernatural.
One common theme is the test of friendship. In these fanfics, the haunted house serves as a backdrop where the members' relationships are put to the test. They have to support each other to get through the scares.
One common theme is the past haunting the present. The historical events that occurred in the house, like a murder or a tragic accident, continue to have an impact on the current inhabitants or visitors. For example, in many stories, the ghosts are the manifestations of the unresolved past.
Well, mystery is a big theme. The haunted house always has secrets that the characters are trying to uncover. Take 'The Canterville Ghost', the family has to figure out why the ghost is there and what it wants. Fear is also a common theme. The characters experience intense fear in these haunted houses, like in 'The Shunned House' where the very presence of the house instills dread. And then there's the theme of decay, both physical, as in the crumbling mansions in stories like 'The Fall of the House of Usher', and moral decay that often seems to be associated with the haunted houses.
One common theme is the past haunting the present. For example, in many stories, something bad happened in the house long ago, like a murder or a tragic accident, and the spirits or the energy of that event still lingers. Another theme is isolation. The haunted house is often in a remote location, cut off from the outside world, which adds to the sense of fear and helplessness. Fear of the unknown is also a big theme. The characters don't know what is causing the strange things to happen in the house, and that scares them even more.